A pair of bench-clearing brawls took MLB by storm on Wednesday, first on the West Coast and later on the East Coast. The finale of a three-game series between the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres saw All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado charge the mound after Luis Perdomo threw a pitch that sailed behind his back.
Arenado didn’t hesitate and immediately tried landing a few some punches on Perdomo. Though, his efforts were thwarted after Perdomo fired his glove at him and avoided contact before both teams isolated them.
Perdomo felt obligated to hit Arenado after teammate Manuel Margot was placed on the disabled because of a hit by pitch in Tuesday’s game. The right-hander also beaned Rockies shortstop Trevor Story earlier in the game, while Hunter Renfroe was drilled as well.
After a lengthy scuffle by the mound, Arenado and former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis were involved in a confrontation by the third base dugout. Though, nothing came of it as the two were quickly separated.
Padres hitting coach Mark McGwire, who formerly held the same position with the Dodgers, then got face-to-face with Arenado and tried to calm him down.
Wednesday evening saw the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees renew their rivalry when Tyler Austin charged the mound after being drilled in the ribs by Joe Kelly.
Kelly apparently thought retaliation was necessary after an awkward slide by Austin nearly took out Red Sox shortstop Brock Holt earlier in the game.
Benches clear, punches thrown in Yankees-Red Sox after Tyler Austin is hit by a pitch from Joe Kelly. pic.twitter.com/wvqoak8QMV
— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2018
Ironically for Kelly, he once again found himself under the spotlight in the wake of drilling someone in the ribs.
As a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit current teammate and former Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez in the same area — ultimately breaking his ribs — in Game 1 of the 2013 National League Championship Series.
