Sun Oct 12 22:29:33 2008

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Tempers flare in Game 3 of NLCS

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Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Tempers flared and the benches emptied in the third inning of Sunday's Game 3 of the National League Championship Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.

LA's Hiroki Kuroda threw a high pitch over Shane Victorino's head. Victorino jawed at Kuroda and appeared to say, "It's OK to throw at my body, but not my head."

Victorino then grounded out to first base but had words for Kuroda. Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez, who had a pitch go by his head on Friday from Brett Myers, had to be held back by teammate Russell Martin as the dugouts emptied.

Umpires warned both benches and there were no ejections. The players then left the field for the bottom of the third.

Kuroda's pitch was apparently also in retaliation for the Phillies throwing at Martin. Jamie Moyer hit Martin with a pitch on the left leg in the first inning, and in the second Clay Condrey's offering was up near Martin's head.

The Phillies lead the best-of-seven series, 2-0.