Manny Machado ignites brawl between Orioles, Royals after being hit by pitch
Baltimore Orioles star shortstop Manny Machado charged Kansas City Royals righty Yordano Ventura in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch Tuesday.
Machado was drilled by a 99-mph fastball on the first pitch of his third at-bat. He then yelled something at Ventura, who dropped his glove and hat in preparation for the confrontation. Machado ran toward Ventura and landed a punch to Ventura's face as both benches cleared.
"Everybody knows what kind of player he is," Ventura said through an interpreter to reporters after the game. "One just got away and he came at me, and I have to defend myself at that point."
Ventura threw the first two pitches of Machado's previous at-bat inside in the second inning. Machado, who eventually flew out to left field, appeared to say something to Ventura as he made his way down the first-base line.
Ventura and Machado were ejected from the game, which the Orioles won 9-1.
"I thought he was trying to hit him the at-bat before," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "That's why I talked to him before he took his last at-bat. I wanted him to be aware of it."
Machado drove in the first run against Ventura on Tuesday, hitting a double to left in the first. Ventura finished the night having allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
"I don't regret anything," Machado said. "When somebody's throwing 99 at you, it's going to hurt. You can ruin someone's career. You don't think in that situation. You just react to it."
This isn’t the first time Ventura and Machado have crossed paths. Ventura hit Machado with a pitch last September and upset the Orioles star.
Ventura, who was sent down to the minors late last season, has a 5.32 ERA this year.
Ventura has gotten into it with other hitters during his career. He was involved in three incidents April of last year.
On April 12, 2015, tempers flared between Ventura and Angels superstar Mike Trout. Ventura stared at Trout after he hit a hard shot back at Ventura in the sixth inning. Trout eventually scored on a double and then confronted Ventura, who was backing up the throw to home.
Ventura was ejected April 18, 2015 after hitting then-Athletics infielder Brett Lawrie with a fastball in the fourth inning.
And just for good measure, Ventura argued with White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton after fielding a hard comebacker on April 23, 2015. Ventura fielded a ground ball back at the mound off Eaton’s bat and started jawing at Eaton, who returned the favor. The confrontation resulted in the benches eventually emptying.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
