PUNCHES were thrown in the first inning of Tuesday’s game between the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants.
The benches cleared after the first score of the heated MLB game in Denver, Colorado.
Matt Chapman and Willy Adames raced to the defence of Rafael Devers during a brawl[/caption]
Devers gave his San Francisco team an early lead against the Rockies[/caption]
San Francisco star Rafael Devers smoked a homer early in the game, causing the brawl to start.
Devers appreciatively watched the ball sail into the stands before starting his lap around the bases.
Pitcher Kyle Freeland was not pleased with Devers’ behaviour.
He berrated the batter, who had to be held back by the first-base umpire, Dan Bellino.
Devers failed to make it to second before the pitch was swarmed.
Giants stars Matt Chapman and Willy Adames both started on Freeland, with the umpires forced to intervene.
Freeland took issue with Devers’ admiration of his own shot and continued to vent his gripe after the game.
The pitcher commented, “Extremely disrespectful to show me up like that in the first inning after hitting a home run.
“Standing there, watching it, taking your sweet time getting down to first base.
“I’ve been in this league quite some time, and I know he has as well.
“I just find that extremely disrespectful, and I felt that I needed to let him know about that.”
Eventually, the pitch cleared.
Devers was able to round the bases, giving his side a 2-0 lead.
Freeland, Adames and Chapman were all ejected after the scuffle.
This meant Antonio Senzatela had to take over the pitching duties for Colorado from the 32-year-old starter.
After the game, Devers said, “I don’t know why he got like that.
“I didn’t do anything wrong.
“I mean, I did the same thing I do every time I hit a home run.”
The Giants went on to claim a 7-4 victory over the Rockies.
The two sides face each other again at Coors Field on Wednesday.
