Major League Baseball dealt out a pair of suspensions following a benches-clearing incident between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
Nationals pitcher Jorge Lopez was suspended three games for throwing at Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Lopez will appeal the decision. Nationals manager Dave Martinez will also serve a one-game suspension for the series finale.
How did we get here?
McCutchen stepped in to face Lopez in the bottom of the seventh inning at PNC Park before becoming the second consecutive batter to have a ball ride up and in. Lopez and McCutchen jawed at each other before the benches cleared, and the situation was eventually cleared up with an ejection for Lopez. McCutchen walked two pitches later before Oneil Cruz stepped into the box and … well, you probably already know.
If you don’t, take a look.
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Cruz led off Thursday’s game with another blast, so perhaps this was the wake-up call the team needed.
The Pirates and Nationals’ series finale can be found on Sportsnet Pittsburgh.
More Pirates: How Pirates Addressed Benches-Clearing Incident With Nationals
Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images