The defending World Series champs are in their worst tailspin of the season, and the frustration is clearly beginning to show.
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Ventura and Baltimore’s Manny Machado were ejected after a fifth inning brawl, following Ventura’s 99 miles per hour fastball that plunked Machado.
Understandably upset, Machado wasted no time rushing the mound and he appeared to connect with a huge punch right on the jaw of Ventura.
Both dugouts and bullpens emptied before peace was restored.
Ventura prepared for the confrontation by taking off his hat and glove.
The Royals were 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position on the night.
It’s not the first time the pair have clashed, with the Royals pitcher hitting Machado in a game last September. “This is no time to panic”.
Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Ryan Flaherty all homered as the Baltimore Orioles handed the Kansas City Royals their sixth straight loss, 9-1, in a game on Tuesday that featured a huge fifth-inning brawl.
While Ventura seems to be getting much of the blame here, largely because of a history of throwing at batters, we shouldn’t forget Machado has a history of losing his temper as well, including throwing his bat down the third-base line two years ago after several inside pitches in a game against Oakland.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he had not received reports on the outing yet. “I don’t know, that’s something you’re going to have to ask him but I don’t know who’s at fault there”.
Machado said he didn’t know what was Ventura’s intention with the inside pitches and that his words to Ventura were not about that. Reactions fly and when somebody’s throwing 99 at you, it’s something that’s going to hurt. “You just react to it”.
Ventura denied he did anything intentional and doesn’t think he should be suspended. Earlier in the game, Machado had exchanged words with Ventura after two pitches came inside on him. “My plan was to pitch inside and one got away”.
Machado and Ventura were ejected with the score 5-1. It is likely both will ultimately receive suspensions.
“I don’t think that should be in order”, Ventura said.
Rangers 4, Astros 3 • Ian Desmond hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning and host Texas won its fifth straight game.
The action occurred in the bottom of the fifth with Baltimore leading 5-1.
The pair had not been on good terms from Machado’s first at-bat, when he managed to put and RBI single past Ventura.
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Mets left-hander Steven Matz (7-2) had lost only once previously in the majors before dropping the first game, while Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom (3-2) had lost only once this season before giving up three runs over six innings in the second.
