Atlanta pitcher punched the L.A. Angels slugger while holding a baseball in violent scene as benches cleared<\/p>\n
Published Apr 08, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 47\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n A disagreement between Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez and Angels slugger Jorge Soler sparked a bench-clearing brawl on Tuesday night, with both throwing punches at each other.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Soler was at the plate during the fifth inning when he took exception to a pitch from Lopez that came in high and inside, going all the way to the backstop.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n As catcher Jonah Heim retrieved the ball and fired to second base in effort to gun down Nolan Schanuel, who advanced on the wild pitch, Soler and Lopez exchanged some heated words.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Soler began to approach the mound after Lopez received a new ball from Heim \u2013 that\u2019s when things quickly escalated.<\/p>\n Soler dropped the bat and charged at Lopez, with both players throwing punches at each other.<\/p>\n Benches and bullpens cleared as the players landed some serious punches before Soler eventually was taken down by Braves manager Walt Weiss while other players stepped in to separate the two.<\/p>\n During the initial chaos, Lopez appears to clock Soler while still holding onto the baseball \u2013 a move that could\u2019ve caused serious damage had it not connected with Soler\u2019s batting helmet.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n What did the players say after the game?<\/p>\n \u201cI asked him if everything was OK and the answer he gave me, I didn\u2019t like it,\u201d Soler said through a translator after the game, according to MLB.com<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s why I went out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Soler said he believed that Lopez was looking for payback after taking him deep for a home run earlier in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I have good numbers against him,\u201d Soler said. \u201cAfter 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\u2019t miss like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Lopez said that he had no intention of hitting Soler.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just a shame, the situation and how things unfolded,\u201d Lopez said through a translator. \u201cOn my part, there was never any intent to hit him at any point. So, again, it\u2019s just a shame.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Blue Jays manager John Schneider loses it as Dodgers hand his punchless club sixth consecutive loss<\/p>\n <\/a> Blue Jays injury woes pile up as Alejandro Kirk has surgery, Addison Barger goes to IL and Patrick Corbin called up to help<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Both players were ejected from the game and MLB has yet to rule if any further punishment will be issued.<\/p>\n Jeimer Candelario replaced Soler at the plate for the at-bat while Tyler Kinley took the mound for Atlanta and eventually collected the victory as the Braves went on to win the contest 7-2<\/a>.<\/p>\n Players had been teammates<\/p>\n![\"Los](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0409-jorge-soler-angels-braves.jpg\")
Los Angeles Angels’ Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves’ Reynaldo L\u00f3pez fight during the fifth inning of Tuesday night’s game. AP PhotoArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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