The melee between players from the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night is believed to be the result of a homophobic slur.
According to the daily “Seattle Times”, Astros pitcher Hector Neris allegedly made derogatory remarks about Julio Rodriguez after striking out in the sixth inning.
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“He said bad words in Spanish,” Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez said. He started doing something bad for people who speak Spanish and understand it. I was in the batter’s circle and I heard. It made me angry.”
After Neris’s words, players from both teams ran onto the field. No punches were thrown and tempers subsequently calmed down.
The Astros reliever tried to downplay the situation after the game, saying Rodriguez was “a friend.”
The Houston club ultimately won the match 8 to 3 and increased its lead to a game and a half over the Mariners. The Astros have the final playoff spot in the American League.