Pittsburgh Pirates' Sean Rodriguez ejected as benches clear

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates utility infielder Sean Rodriguez was ejected following a benches-clearing incident in the seventh inning of Wednesday night's National League wild card game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh.

The dugouts and bullpens emptied when Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta, who was working on a two-hit shutout, was hit on the right hip by a pitch from left-hander reliever Tony Watson.

Arrieta had hit catcher Francisco Cervelli and third baseman Josh Harrison with pitchers earlier in the game.

Rodriguez started the game at first base as Pirates manager Clint Hurdle opted to go with his best defensive team with right-hander Gerrit Cole facing Arrieta.

However, regular first baseman Pedro Alvarez pinch hit for Rodriguez in the third inning after the Pirates fell behind 3-0.

The Pirates also lost rookie infielder Jung Ho Kang for the season in a Sept. 17 game against the Cubs at PNC Park when outfielder Chris Coghlan slid into him at second base while trying to break up a double play. Kang sustained a torn medial collarteral ligament in his left knee and a broken tibia in his left leg, perhaps creating bad blood between the NL Central rivals.