Benches Clear After Pitch Near McCutchen’s Head in Nationals-Pirates Game

PITTSBURGH — Tensions flared at PNC Park on Wednesday as benches cleared in the seventh inning after Nationals reliever Jorge López threw a high, inside pitch at Andrew McCutchen. The Pitch Near McCutchen’s Head, forcing the veteran outfielder to hit the dirt to avoid being hit.

The incident occurred after López had already hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch one batter earlier, throwing from the opposite side of the plate.

As a result of the confrontation, López was ejected from the game. He was replaced by Eduardo Salazar, who immediately walked McCutchen and then allowed a grand slam to Oneil Cruz.

López, who entered the game with a 6.43 ERA, had already hit one batter in his seven relief appearances this season.

This incident followed a troubling moment from the previous night, when Paul DeJong suffered a fractured nose after being struck in the face by a fastball from Mitch Keller.