Nolan Arenado was at the center of a benches-clearing brawl Wednesday between the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres that saw five players ejected, Arenado included.
The All-Star third baseman charged Luis Perdomo after nearly being hit by a pitch perceived to be in retaliation for a series of hit batters on both sides early this season between the two clubs. Six players have been hit in the seven games between the two clubs already this year. (Arenado was not; Perdomo’s pitch sailed behind him.)
Arenado spoke about the incident postgame, saying, “It is what it is. They thought they had to do something. I thought I had to do something, too.”
Colorado went on to score five runs in the inning after Arenado was ejected, ultimately winning 6-4. It was Colorado’s lone win in the three-game series with their division rival and snapped a three-game losing streak.
Rockies Manager Bud Black wouldn’t directly attribute his team’s offensive output in the inning to their being inspired by Arenado’s actions, however, he did like the at-bats they put together following the incident.
Suspensions have not yet been announced stemming from the incident, but it is like Arenado will receive multiple games for his role in the fracas.
