The Mets have built a reputation for getting hit by pitches, and they’re not happy about it. They’ve led the league in HBPs, with several players taking dangerous shots, especially to the head. Pete Alonso has been hit twice in the helmet, and JD Davis caught one on the foot that knocked him out of the game. After yet another HBP against the Cardinals, things boiled over in the next inning when Nolan Arenado got buzzed high and inside. Arenado wasn’t having it. He charged the mound and shouted at the pitcher, triggering a full-on benches-clearing brawl.
Relievers from both bullpens made chaotic entrances. The Mets jogged in. The Cardinals’ relievers hit a traffic jam at the gate, with Giovanny Gallegos hilariously climbing the fence to bypass it. On the field, things escalated. Cardinals coach Stubby Clapp grabbed Alonso from behind and pulled him to the ground in the scrum, with pitcher Genesis Cabrera helping haul him out. Alonso was frustrated after the fact, confused about who even tackled him, telling reporters it felt cheap getting pulled from behind during the chaos. Despite his frustration, Alonso kept repeating he was just trying to protect his teammates and emphasized his size and strength, saying he could have done damage if he wanted. Arenado and Clapp got ejected, while Alonso stayed in the game, still fuming about being manhandled by a guy named Stubby.