White Sox-Reds benches clear after pitches get thrown near hitter’s head: ‘You can kill somebody’

Davis Martin was tossed from the White Sox’s loss to the Reds on Thursday after throwing at Sal Stewart’s head, not once, but twice and hitting him in the helmet during the third inning. 

The incident caused both benches to clear, although nothing beyond that went down as the umpires regained control and eventually ejected the White Sox right-hander. 

“I thought that was extremely blatant, and you can’t throw two balls like that head high. You can kill somebody. I thought that was terrible,” Reds manager Terry Francona told reporters, according to MLB.com.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin (65) walks back to the dugout after being ejected from a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 13, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Martin did appear to be having control issues during the outing before he hit Stewart in the head, having hit Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson in the first inning and hitting the backstop with several pitches.

Things took a turn in the top of the third when Martin fired a 0-1 pitch that sailed way over the head of Stewart, who ducked down to avoid being hit. 

Martin did seem to motion a non-verbal apology after the throw and Stewart could be seen giving him a thumbs-up in acknowledgement. 

However, that didn’t last long when the very next pitch hit the bill of Stewart’s helmet and the Reds’ player angrily gestured toward Martin. 

The Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox benches clear during the third inning at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on August 13, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While it wasn’t directly known what Stewart said, he gestured about it being the second pitch that Martin had thrown near his head. 

“More than anything, it was just kind of a scary moment,” Stewart told reporters. “I’m not sure exactly what happened, but it’s scary when two balls are coming up and in, so that’s all I have to say about it.” 

Martin was eventually thrown out of the game after the umpires met on the field. 

The Reds went on to win the game 9-8.