Marcus Stroman and John Nogowski clear the benches in Mets vs. Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman John Nogowski and New York Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman caused a bench clearance incident between the teams in the fifth inning of Friday night’s game.

Nogowski, who was only playing his eighth game with the Pirates, apparently objected to Stroman’s reaction to a roster. Stroman, whose Mets were led by a 2-1 margin with a runner in third, partied after realizing first baseman Pete Alonso had made a clean grab to end the frame. Nogowski and Stroman then exchanged verbal spades before the benches cleared.

Here’s a look at the piece in question:

And here’s a closer look at the quarrel between Nogowski and Stroman. Note that no punches appear to have been thrown and no player has been kicked:

The two continued to exchange pleasantries early in the sixth inning with Stroman stationed in the Mets dugout and Nogowski in his first baseman position. At one point, Nogowski appeared to say, “I thought it was over.”

Stroman entered the evening after accumulating a 2.75 ERA (142 ERA +) and strikeout-to-goals ratio of 3.32 in his first 98 innings this season. His night ended after that play, giving him a final line of five innings, eight hits, two runs (both earned), three strikeouts and no walks.

Nogowski, for his part, reached 0.326 / 0.392 / .370 (114 OPS +) in 51 trips to plate between his stint with the Pirates and what he did earlier this season with the St. Louis Cardinals. He joined the Pirates in early July.

The Mets started the second half with a 47-40 record this season, good for the National East League lead by 3½ games. The Pirates, meanwhile, were anchored in last place in the Central National League with a 34-56 record over the season. Pittsburgh’s record is the third-worst in majors, behind the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks.