OAKLAND, Calif. – Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland's 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.The Athletics' ninth straight win was far overshadowed by what erupted in the seventh inning at the Coliseum.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh.
Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the.