Closer look at Sal Stewart-Erik Miller exchange shows why Reds were angry

There was a heated exchange between Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart and San Francisco Giants pitcher Erik Miller that caused the benches to empty after the final pitch of Thursday's series finale. A closer look at the back-and-forth between Stewart and Miller may have revealed the (somewhat comical) reason for the verbal spat.

With a runner on first and the Reds down to their last strike, Stewart swung and missed at a 1-2 fastball as the Giants avoided the sweep and won the game by a final score of 3-0. Miller celebrated his first-ever Major League save — one that took him seven tries to finally nail down — and then looking right at Stewart can be seen saying, "Sit the f--- down."

Stewart didn't take kindly to Miller's foul and abusive language, and based on close-up video footage of his response, it seemed as if the Reds' first baseman responded with a phrase that Miller's unscholarly mind could understand. "You watch your f----- mouth," Stewart appeared to say in response.

Reds rookie Sal Stewart wasn't a fan of Erik Miller's celebration

As Stewart started walking toward Miller, Giants catcher Patrick Bailey got in between. Reds backstop Tyler Stephenson quickly ran out to assist his teammates, along with third baseman Eugenio Suárez and hitting coach Chris Valaika. The last thing the Reds want to see is their top hitter go one-on-four against a cadre of Giants. The benches emptied, but cooler heads eventually prevailed.

The end-of-game fracas appeared to be a culmination of several instances going all the way to Tuesday's game. Reds outfielder Spencer Steer had a verbal exchange with Giants pitcher JT Brubaker that has since gone viral.

The Giants took exception of Steer's actions and plunked him with the very first pitch of his at-bat during the second inning. Giants starter Landen Roupp said the ball slipped out of his hand. Yeah, sure. You know, when you're going take matters into your own hands the way the Giants did, at least have the courage to own it.

Not to be outdone, Reds reliever Connor Phillips returned the favor during the eighth inning. When Willy Adames stepped into the batter's box, Phillips came up and in with the first pitch of the at-bat. Not satisfied with those results, the Reds reliever came inside once again and hit him with the second pitch. Phillips was ejected as a result.

The Reds and Giants will meet again, but the two teams will have about three months to cool off. Cincinnati travels out west to San Francisco during the month of August, and the stakes might be a lot higher by then. Not for the Giants, of course. They're not very good. The Reds, on the other hand, are hoping to be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

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