KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Josh Reddick rounded the bases after his three-run homer, celebrated in Oakland's dugout for just a moment, and then climbed to the top step and waited.
He knew exactly what was coming next.
Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura promptly plunked A's third baseman Brett Lawrie with what appeared to be a retaliatory pitch for an incident the previous night, and Reddick and the rest of his teammates spilled onto the field in what could have turned into an ugly melee.
Cooler heads prevailed. So did the A's, who went on to beat Kansas City 5-0 Saturday night.