PITTSBURGH — MLB issued a suspension after a benches-clearing incident between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
In the seventh inning, Nationals pitcher Jorge Lopez faced Pirates right fielder Andrew McCutchen. On a 1-1 count, Lopez threw a high, inside pitch that forced McCutchen to dive to avoid being hit in the face.
As umpires debated warning or ejecting Lopez, McCutchen and Lopez exchanged heated words, prompting both teams’ benches to clear. Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz restrained McCutchen and later held back left fielder Tommy Pham, both upset by Lopez’s pitch.
MLB suspended Lopez for three games for throwing at McCutchen, a decision Lopez is appealing, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Nationals manager Dave Martinez will serve a one-game suspension for the series finale.
McCutchen and Lopez have a history: McCutchen hit a solo home run off Lopez when he pitched for the Chicago Cubs. Additionally, Reynolds hit a three-run homer off Lopez in the eighth inning on Sept. 2, 2024, at Wrigley Field, sparking a 5-3 Pirates comeback.
Post-game, McCutchen downplayed intent, saying, “I don’t think [Lopez] tried to hit me… It’s just the nature of the situation. Even if it wasn’t on purpose, which I don’t really think it was, I think the height of the moment got to him maybe.” He credited quick reflexes for avoiding injury.
This incident followed a near-miss in the previous game, where Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller accidentally hit Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong in the face, forcing DeJong out. Pirates manager Derek Shelton criticized Lopez’s pitch, noting it came right after Reynolds was hit. He praised the umpires’ handling and dismissed any connection to Keller’s accidental hit on DeJong: “If this was retribution for that, then it’s just lack of awareness.”
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