So what happened between Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and Detroit pitcher Dontrelle Willis in the fourth inning?
Well, according to Pierzynski, nothing but a misunderstanding.
Tigers players have been extra protective of their pitcher and his "anxiety problems,'' so when Pierzynski said "Hey'' to Willis after making an out, it hit the fan.
Tigers catcher Gerald Laird stepped in, and both teams began running onto the field immediately, with even the bullpens emptying. No punches were thrown, however.
"They thought there was something there, there was nothing there,'' Pierzynski said. "They were being protective of him. I said, 'Hey,' to [Willis] and they went crazy, I don't know. I said, 'Hey,' and then he said 'Hey,' and next thing I know the benches were empty and all hell was breaking loose. I don't have any problem with anyone on their team.
"If anybody else would have said anything it probably wouldn't have been a good deal, but once again I'm in the middle of a crock of [crap], so whatever.''