BOTH benches cleared in Anaheim on Tuesday night as an MLB game descended into chaos.

Punches were thrown during an all-out brawl as the Los Angeles Angels took on the Atlanta Braves.

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Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez clashed with Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jorge Soler on TuesdayCredit: Reuters

The fight was sparked after Soler was almost hit in the head by a high 97mph fast ballCredit: AP

With the Braves leading 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth, Jorge Soler took to the plate against Angels pitcher Reynaldo Lopez.

Soler had already hit a monster home run in his first at-bat.

And Lopez was keen that lightning was not about to strike twice.

The 32-year-old pitcher fired in a 97mph fastball up and around Soler’s helmet.

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Soler was able to avoid the ball, which allowed the Braves to steal base on the wild pitch.

But moments later Soler charged the mound, swinging punches at his former teammate.

The pair traded haymakers with players from both benches soon joining in the melee.

It took officials a few moments to restore order before both Soler and Lopez were ejected from the game.

“I asked him if everything was OK and the answer he gave me, I didn’t like it,” Soler said through interpreter Jobel Jimenez after the game, which the Braves won 7-2.

“That’s why I went out there. Obviously, I have good numbers against him.

“After the home run and getting hit by a pitch after that, and then he missed way too high and close to my head.

“At this level, you can’t miss like that.”

Both benches cleared in Anaheim with punches thrownCredit: AP

Soler charged the mound after claiming Lopez had targeted him deliberatelyCredit: AP

Lopez claimed there was “no intent” to hit Soler with the wild pitch.

“It’s just a shame, the situation and how things unfolded,” Lopez said through interpreter Franco García.

“On my part, there was never any intent to hit him at any point. So, again, it’s just a shame.”

Jeimer Candelario replaced Soler and struck out against reliever Tyler Kinley, who took over for Lopez.

The Braves victory advances them to 7-5 on the season ahead of Game 2 of the series Wednesday.

Los Angeles fall to 6-6, halting a three-win streak.