It did not take long for the first bench-clearing brawl in 2020. Six days in fact. To no one’s surprise, it involved the Houston Astros, the most controversial team in Major League Baseball this season, as a result of the sign-stealing scandal.
The incidents took place on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly came in to pitch the sixth inning, and threw to five Astros batters and gave up two walks. After forcing Jose Altuve to pop up, Kelly threw a pitch behind Alex Bregman, four high inside pitches to Yuli Gurriel, and an inside curveball to Carlos Correa. Once Kelly struck out Correa to finish the inning, he taunted Correa by sticking out his tongue at him. This then caused a bench-clearing brawl.
As a result Kelly, was suspended eight games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was also suspended one game, and Astros manager Dusty Baker was fined. Don’t forget that the rivalry between the Astros and Dodgers is a heated one. In 2017, it was the Dodgers who the Astros beat in seven games to win the most controversial World Series in recent history. Earlier this year, it was determined by Major League Baseball that the Astros used improper technology to steal the signs of their opponent. The Astros were severely punished, but did not have their World Series stripped.
One must realize that Kelly was not with the Dodgers in 2017. He was with the Boston Red Sox, who have been accused of sign stealing with Apple watches, that same season.
It is also not surprising of the degree of the punishments. At a time when players are expected to social distance as much as possible, a bench-clearing brawl during a pandemic is completely unacceptable.
Los Angeles defeated Houston 5-2 on Tuesday. A.J. Pollock led the Dodgers offensively with three hits. The Dodgers were then victorious again on Wednesday, as they came away with a 4-2 win in 13 innings.
