In a heated game, Washington Nationals reliever Jorge López was ejected after pitching recklessly, including hitting batters after his team's struggles in a close match. His ejection provoked a response from manager Davey Martinez, who defended López's actions, arguing that the umpires overreacted. The incident was heightened by the context of a teammate's recent injury caused by a pitch, which suggested López may have acted out of a perceived need to retaliate. Despite the tensions, discussions arose surrounding the culture of targeted pitches in baseball, illustrating long-standing traditions in the sport.
After López came on, he immediately allowed two singles and an RBI-groundout in a tight game, showcasing the struggles of the Nationals' bullpen.
Manager Davey Martinez defended López’s actions, suggesting the umpires misinterpreted the situation, indicating a misunderstanding about the pitcher’s intent.
López's behavior seemed to reflect a common expectation for relievers—to retaliate when a teammate is injured, raising questions about intentional actions on the field.
The incident escalated when López shouted at home plate umpire Ron Kulpa after being ejected, showing the tension and frustrations from the game.
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