Central STL News

For the second consecutive game, tensions escalated at Busch Stadium during a match between the Padres and Cardinals, both competing for a spot in the National League playoffs. The incident on Saturday night involved Manny Machado being hit by a pitch from Andre Granillo, leading to benches clearing. Cardinals coach Jon Jay was ejected after minor pushing and shoving ensued.

“It’s hot, it’s that time of year,” commented Padres manager Mike Shildt regarding the situation.

The conflict began on Friday when Willson Contreras was hit by a fastball from Nick Pivetta. After exchanging words with Pivetta, warnings were issued as benches cleared. On Saturday, Contreras was again hit by Randy Vásquez's pitch, prompting frustration due to past injuries from similar incidents.

“I’m pretty much fed up,” said Contreras about repeated hits by pitches.

Vásquez apologized immediately to Contreras, indicating no intention behind the action. Despite this gesture, Machado was later hit by Matthew Liberatore's fastball but remained calm until he was struck again by Granillo’s pitch in the ninth inning.

Machado expressed his understanding of the unintentional nature of Granillo’s pitch but reacted verbally when it happened for the second time in one game—a first in his career. He explained: “You kind of already know what’s going to happen... But then you get another one up and in.”

A confrontation involving Machado and Jay followed, stemming from their previous acquaintance and off-field interactions. Although Jay was ejected after provoking Machado further, no other players faced such penalties despite multiple instances of players being hit over two games.

“It's over,” stated Shildt as both teams aimed to move past these events while focusing on upcoming games. As they prepare for more matches against each other at Petco Park next weekend with playoff implications on the line—San Diego currently holding onto a Wild Card position—both sides acknowledged their mutual desire simply to play baseball without unnecessary confrontations.

“At the end of the day," concluded Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol "you’ve just got a bunch of dudes playing baseball with a lot of passion."