The New York Mets’ frustrations erupted on Wednesday when reliever Yoan Lopez threw near Nolan Arenado’s head, sparking an all-out brawl that led to Arenado’s ejection in the 10-5 win. of the St. Louis Cards.
Arenado hit the trails four times and drove in three runs before the incident in the eighth inning.
Mets hitter JD Davis was hit in the eighth after being hit in the left foot by a Genesis Cabrera pitch. It’s the 19th time this season that a Mets hitter has been hit, including three on Tuesday against the Cards.
Lopez threw a 94 mph fastball near Arenado’s head. The latter began to shout at Lopez to “do it again”. The benches emptied and players jostled near home plate.
Cards first baseman coach Stubby Clapp tackled Mets star Pete Alonso. Cardinals veteran Adam Wainwright then walked up to Alonso to ask if he was okay.
Clapp was ejected along with Arenado, but Lopez remained in the match.
Lopez was hailed by several teammates when he returned to the dugout after the round.
Mets manager Buck Showalter denied after the game that his club felt the need to send a message and said Lopez’s throw was unintentional.
Showalter also said the x-rays of Davis’ foot were negative, but he would need further evaluation.
A two-run triple from Dylan Carlson capped a five-run fourth inning.
Jake Woodford (1-0) allowed one more run over two innings in relief and St. Louis snapped a season-high three-game losing streak.
Cardinals starter Steven Matz needed a season-high 97 pitches to pitch just four innings. He allowed four runs and struck out six batters.
Mets starter Carlos Carrasco (1-1) allowed a season-high eight runs, seven earned, in 3.2 innings as the Mets saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Tomas Nido and Brandon Nimmo hit back-to-back doubles to give the Mets a 4-1 lead in the second, but Carrasco couldn’t hold on.
Arenado’s two-run single in the third cut the Mets’ lead to one and Tommy Edman drove in a run with a single in a Cards push that took an 8-4 lead.
In other matches:
LA-Arizona Dodgers
LAD :
ARI :
Milwaukee – Pittsburgh
MIL :
PIT :
San Diego – Cincinnati
SD :
CIN :
Colorado – Philadelphia
COL :
PHI :
Miami – Washington
MIA :
WAS :
Chicago Cubs-Atlanta
CHI :
ATL :
Oakland – San Francisco
OAK :
SF :
