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Bench-clearing incident mars US-Cuba showdown
SYDNEY, Sept 23 (AFP) - Cuban and United States baseball players raced off their benches and onto the field to confront each other here Friday at an Olympic baseball game before coller heads prevailed without a fight. The fourth-inning incident was touched off when Cuban pitcher Jose Ibar hit US rightfielder Ernie Young on the shoulder with a pitch. Ibar was in the process of hurling four no-hit innings against the Americans, who trailed 4-0. Instead of taking first base, Young shoved Cuban catcher Ariel Pestano, who rose to challenge the American before umpire Carlos Rey of Puerto Rico restrained him. As he did, players from both bench ran onto their field. All four umpires, plus the managers and assistant coaches ran between them to keep the peace as the first base line became a dividing line. Young's shove was not the only disgraceful American move. When Cuba's Miguel Caldes hit a ground ball to open the fourth inning, US first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz curled up in front of the bag as Caldes was running toward it, sending the Cuban sprawling over the US player and the base.
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