:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36121510/albuquerque-reno-brawl.0.jpg)
A total of nine players were ejected after a brawl in the second inning on Saturday night between Triple-A Albuquerque and Reno.
The action happened after shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena struck out looking to open the top of the second inning. Arruebarrena, who homered on Friday, was apparently unhappy with being thrown at during his at-bat by Aces starter Mike Bolsinger, and began the brawl by shoving Reno catcher Blake Lalli.
Isotopes infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena not happy about being thrown at. A few pitches later he struck out, then shoved Aces' Blake Lalli
— Ben Ross (@BenjaminARoss) July 27, 2014
Benches cleared, dozens of players involved right behind home plate. Brawl went into the net and pushed net right into first row of crowd
— Ben Ross (@BenjaminARoss) July 27, 2014
The bad blood stemmed from Arruebarrena's three-run home run on Friday that gave the Isotopes an 11-0 lead. Arruebarrena took his time rounding the bases (nearly 30 seconds to reach home), much to the chagrin of Reno announcer Ryan Radtke.
"By the time our game starts tomorrow, Arruebarrena might be around the bases. This is a joke," Radtke called. "Arruebarrena has not yet reached home plate!"
Here is video of Saturday's fight per KOLO TV in Reno:
Arruebarrena threw his helmet in the fracas, and was finally tackled by multiple Reno players.
In all, the Isotopes ejected were Arreubarrena, infielder Walter Ibarra and pitchers Carlos Frias and Pedro Baez. Reno players ejected were Lalli, pitcher Kameron Loe, pitcher Andrew Chafin, left fielder Aaron Cunningham and first baseman Mike Jacobs. Aces manager Phil Nevin was also tossed.
Multiple suspensions are likely to follow from this, especially for Arruebarrena. In 2013, the Isotopes were involved in a brawl with Memphis that saw six Albuquerque players suspended. The Pacific Coast League allowed the teams to stagger the suspensions so the teams wouldn't lose so many players at once.