DETROIT — Things have gotten tense between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers many times before.

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This time, though it evidently involved something beyond the outfield wall.

White Sox starter Chris Sale tipped his cap in that direction after striking out Victor Martinez to end the third inning, then pointed that way after plunking VMart with his first pitch in a sixth-inning at-bat.

Sale's reaction was in response to Martinez’s slow stroll up the first baseline after being plunked. The jawing between the two players brought both full teams — including the bullpens — out onto the field.

There were no ejections and no punches thrown.

A theory is perhaps Sale was indicating that someone in the outfield was trying to steal signs. That theory was furthered when Sale pantomimed focusing binoculars from the dugout after leaving the game. Ian Kinsler did the same at the Tigers dugout after an RBI double in the next inning.

Ian Kinsler with perhaps the best troll job of all-time right here. pic.twitter.com/KxXFPAbgd7
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) September 24, 2014