Giants, Cards turn page after benches clear

ST. LOUIS -- Tensions flared in the fourth inning of the Giants’ 11-3 rout of the Cardinals on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, with both dugouts and bullpens emptying after St. Louis right-hander Jack Flaherty appeared to exchange words with San Francisco first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr.

Wade was on second base after reaching on a one-out double off Flaherty, but he had to be restrained by his Giants teammates after Flaherty began pointing and barking at him after Joc Pederson grounded out to first to end the inning.

San Francisco reliever John Brebbia, a former Cardinal, came flying in from the bullpen to help break things up, which dissipated relatively quickly and didn’t result in any ejections.

It’s unclear what drew Flaherty’s ire, though Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming speculated that Flaherty might have thought Wade was relaying signs from second base.

“I think Flaherty may have taken some exception to LaMonte moving around the bases, which is totally within the norm,” San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said. “Not unusual at all. I thought LaMonte was justified in his frustration.”

Flaherty and Wade both downplayed the spat after the game.

"Nothing [happened],” said Flaherty, who was charged with the loss after giving up six runs on a career-high 10 hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings. “Just playing the game. ... Just playing the game. That's all you're going to get out of me on that."

“It’s just baseball,” Wade said. “Tempers flare. I can’t really speak for what he thought. I just know what I can control. I was doing my job at second base. That’s all I can do.

“We got the win, so I’m not worried about it.”