Tempers flared but fists stayed firmly in pockets during Tuesday night's clash between the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox, as both benches emptied in the fourth inning without any actual fighting.

The Red Sox were riding high with an 8-2 lead after three innings, having already tagged Tigers starter Framber Valdez for a barrage of hits. The momentum only grew when Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu launched back-to-back home runs to lead off the fourth, extending Boston's advantage to 10-2.

On the very next pitch, Valdez unleashed a 94-mph fastball that plunked Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story. Story, clearly unhappy with the location, locked eyes with the mound. Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and home plate umpire Adam Beck quickly stepped between the two players, signaling for calm.

That was all it took for both dugouts to empty, with bullpens jogging in from the outfield as tension filled the air. But despite the dramatic scene, no punches were thrown. Players milled about for a few minutes, exchanging words but little else, before returning to their respective benches and bullpens.

While the confrontation fizzled, Valdez's night was effectively over. Third base umpire Dan Iassogna ejected the left-hander, capping a brutal outing in which he allowed 10 runs (seven earned) over just three-plus innings. For the Tigers, it was a rough night all around—on the scoreboard and in the dugout.