The Big Lead

'There's punches being thrown': Wild MLB brawl erupts after Rafael Devers homer

Two players from the San Francisco Giants and one from the Colorado Rockies were ejected after the benches-clearing brawl.

By J.P. Hoornstra

Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers (16) reacts after an inside pitch by the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Oracle Park on Aug. 17.
Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers (16) reacts after an inside pitch by the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Oracle Park on Aug. 17. / Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
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A wild brawl erupted between the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies in the first inning of Tuesday's game in Denver, Colorado.

Giants star Rafael Devers hit Rockies starter Kyle Freeland's seventh pitch of the game into the right-field bleachers. Freeland yelled at Devers, who yelled back at Freeland, and before long both benches had emptied as players poured on to the infield.

"Freeland was unhappy, and now we've got punches being thrown," said Rockies play-by-play man Drew Goodman.

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An awkward scene erupted after the fracas died down. Matt Chapman and Willy Adames — who wound up to punch Freeland — were ejected, leaving the Giants without the entire left side of their infield for the rest of the game. Freeland was ejected, too, leaving the Rockies without their starting pitcher.

Devers, meanwhile, was left to circle the bases while Antonio Senzatela warmed up.

The two-run home run gave the Giants a 2-0 lead and gave Devers 15 home runs in 67 games since he was traded to San Francisco by the Boston Red Sox in June.

The game at Coors Field is practically meaningless in the context of the season. Both the Giants (69-69) and the Rockies (39-99) are well out of postseason contention. Nothing like a little bad blood to spice up the game.

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