Benches and bullpens cleared after the seventh inning because Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris thought Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story was stealing signs as he stood on second base. Neris intentionally balked Story to third so he could get off second base and presumably stop looking at his grip and communicating to the plate.

Houston Astros reliever Héctor Neris used a balk to advance a runner to third, then had an exchange with Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson that led to a dustup between the teams.