Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli apologized Wednesday for his comment toward Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras that ignited a benches-clearing incident.

There was a fracas in the fourth inning of Washington's 8-1 win on Tuesday, starting after Cavalli struck out Contreras. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said he heard Cavalli yell, "Sit down, boy" after the strikeout, although the pitcher told reporters, "I don't know. I just lose my head in it. I'm competitive. I just told him to sit down."

Contreras had to be restrained as both benches emptied. He later tossed his batting helmet toward Cavalli during the melee and was ejected. Boston outfielder Nate Eaton and Washington pitcher Miles Mikolas, neither of whom was playing in the game, and Tracy also were tossed out.

On Wednesday, Cavalli said he did not wish to use the term in a disparaging way.

"I'm extremely torn up about the way that things were perceived," Cavalli said. "Obviously, there was no ill intention behind that."

Cavalli, however, said he understands the racist meaning behind the word he used, even if it wasn't his intention.

"There's a history behind that word, and that's just something that as a competitor, like in football or basketball, playing wiffle ball with my brother, you don't understand it," Cavalli said. "And then it gets perceived in a way that was not my intention, and then you learn from that. It'll never happen again."

Cavalli, 27, said he did not sleep on Tuesday night after realizing the public outcry following his exchange with Contreras.

Cavalli is 5-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 18 appearances (all starts) this season. He is 8-6 with a 4.21 ERA in 29 career starts since being selected in the first round by the Nationals in the 2020 MLB Draft.