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Benches clear after Pirates plunk Arrieta

PITTSBURGH -- Emotions ran high and tempers flared in the seventh inning on Wednesday night, when Cubs ace Jake Arrieta was hit by a pitch from Pirates reliever Tony Watson.

With the Cubs leading, 4-0, in the National League Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser, Watson's first pitch to Arrieta sailed inside and hit Chicago's pitcher near the hip. Arrieta echanged words with the pitcher as he headed up the first-base line, and benches cleared shortly after home-plate umpire Jeff Nelson issued a warning.

A mob of players formed up the first-base line, but no punches appeared to be thrown.