The game won't be remembered for the Newark Bears' four-hit rally in the 11th inning, with Newark scoring the eventual game-winning run on No. 9 hitter Michael Sandoval's RBI single.

The 3,152 fans at Sovereign Bank Stadium could see the game turning in the favor of the Newark Bears long before the 6-4 loss in 11 innings. It was a slow collapse for York, losing the final game in a pitiful 2-6 homestand. Maybe the Revs (16-37) will show some fire after watching one of its team leaders, Jason Aspito, get plunked again. But York wasted a first-inning grand slam by Matt Padgett. York batters struck out 12 times. York recorded six hits.

And the Revs had no answer for Oneli Perez, who wasn't even in the dugout when Newark needed a replacement starter with one out in the first inning. He entered the game, lasted 62/3 and struck out seven, holding York to five hits.

The part of the game everyone will remember is why Perez was needed in the first place. Both teams' dugouts and bullpens emptied after some first-inning drama.

Newark starting pitcher Edgar Martinez had two men on base when he hit Revs outfielder Jason Aspito in the back calf on the first pitch. Aspito immediately turned and began talking to Newark catcher Salomon Manriquez. The incident escalated when Martinez ran from the mound to home plate and wrapped his arms around Aspito -- causing players from both teams to run onto the field.

Martinez did not attempt to hurt Aspito, and Aspito explained

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afterward that he thought Tom Collaro had run from the on-deck circle to hold him back. He didn't even know he was being held by one of the Bears.

Aspito has history with the Bears this season and a few bruises to prove it. He's been hit four times by Newark pitchers.

He exchanged words with Manriquez after a pitch sailed near his head during the Revs' victory Tuesday night. And he forecast trouble if the act continued. He explained the reason for his anger to reporters after Tuesday's game.

"I guess these guys have a scouting report on me or something because I've been hit three times, and there have been a number of pitches up near my head," Aspito said. "That's fine, I understand that you've got to move somebody's feet. You miss too many times in there ... that's when things escalate. That's all I'm saying.

"Come in there all you want. But if you start missing too many times up in this area, I'm a fiery guy. I'm playing to win, too."

Manriquez admitted after Thursday's game, Newark has been pitching Aspito inside on purpose.

"We can get him out with that pitch," he said. "That's the way you play the game. If you find a hole in someone's game you keep throwing the ball there until he hits it.

"But we're all in this league for a reason, and some of our pitchers don't have good control."

The umpires met for a long conference and ejected Martinez and Aspito, despite arguments from York manager Chris Hoiles and Aspito. Umpires ejected him because he turned to talk to the catcher, even though that was Aspito's way of talking about the problem without throwing a punch.

"Do I think it's intentional? No," Aspito said. "But I'm sick and tired of being hit. I wasn't trying to start a fight. I understand what he's saying, but if his pitchers can't throw it for effect or a strike, they better change what they're doing.

"Believe me the last thing I wanted to do was get thrown out of the game. We have guys in here hurting."

Keoni DeRenne entered the game to hit in Aspito's cleanup spot, despite suffering from a tight hamstring.

The game resumed with the bases loaded, and after Collaro grounded back to the pitcher, Padgett connected for a grand slam over the right field fence and off the Revolution clubhouse.

"I heard the ball hit the building," Aspito said about standing in the clubhouse after being tossed. "If I would have been in the stands I would have been the loudest guy in the stadium."

York didn't score again, falling to a franchise-record 21 games under .500.
jseip@ydr.com; 771-2025