The Yankees and Royals benches are free after Anthony Volpe and Maikel Garcia fueled the exchange

Tensions were high during the fourth ALDS game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees. It got to the point where both teams' benches cleared and met on the field.

With the Yankees up 3-0 over the Royals in the sixth inning, New York shortstop Anthony Volpe poured some salt into the wound while moving Kansas City third baseman Maikel Garcia to second.

Volpe tagged Garcia as he slipped, and then again as Garcia got up. Garcia didn't like this emphasis on the out and stared at him. Volpe continued to cheer Garcia on by patting him on the back as he walked away. This prompted Garcia to say something back while Jazz Chisholm intervened. It's unclear what was said, but a heated exchange began between players from both teams.

At this point both benches entered the field. The bullpens even joined in. There were no physical altercations and the chaos quickly calmed down.

With so much at stake in this game, emotions were running high. That debacle gave the Royals the spark they needed as Bobby Witt Jr. went to bat next and hit a single. Vinny Pasquantino hit a double next to score Witt and give the Royals their first goal of the night.