Brawl featuring Reynaldo López hitting Jorge Soler with baseball may lead to MLB discipline
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- A benches-clearing fight erupted at Angel Stadium when Braves pitcher Reynaldo López swung a baseball at Angels' Jorge Soler, knocking off his helmet after Soler charged the mound, marking the season's first such altercation.
- MLB is reviewing the incident and considering discipline for both players, with López potentially facing a longer suspension due to his role as a starting pitcher and the fact he swung while still holding the ball.
- The fight followed rising tensions, including Soler hitting a two-run homer off López earlier and being hit by a 96 mph pitch in the third inning, before López's errant 97 mph fastball in the fifth inning that hit the backstop near Soler's head.
- Both players were ejected mid-at-bat, and Braves manager Walt Weiss, a black belt in taekwondo, intervened by tackling Soler to prevent further escalation, while Mike Trout restrained López.
- Soler accused López of intentionally missing high with his pitch, while López denied any intent to hit Soler, calling the situation unfortunate; the Braves ultimately won the game 7-2.
