Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez Exchange Haymakers in WILD Benches Clearing Brawl

Jorge Soler had previously homered and got hit by a pitch in the game by Reynaldo Lopez, leading to an intense moment in the 5th inning.

Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez Exchange Haymakers in WILD Benches Clearing Brawl

Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez (Image via MLB/X/@TalkinBaseball_)

Things got heated between Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez during the Los Angeles Angels vs. Atlanta Braves game on Tuesday night. The two stars exchanged haymakers in a wild, benches-clearing brawl between the two sets of players.

Soler, the former Braves star, had homered off Lopez earlier in the game. In his first at-bat, the 2-time World Series winner launched a 2-run shot against his ex-teammate to put the Angels 2-0 up.

This turned out to be the 5th time he had homered off Lopez. This home run saw Soler improve his record to 14-for-23 against the right-handed pitcher.

In the third inning of the game, Soler got hit by a pitch from Lopez. On a 2-2 pitch, a 96 mph fastball would hit Soler in the hand. The Angels were unable to advance the runners from first and second base as Yoan Moncada then struck out to end the innings.

The huge moment came in the 5th inning during Soler’s next at-bat. After a high fastball when past catcher Jonah Heim, Nolan Schanuel would tag up from first and slide into second base.

Soler would stare down at Lopez, who would then put his arms out, indicating that he was ready for a fight. The Angels’ designated hitter (DH) then charged towards the pitcher, and the two of them started throwing punches at each other.

The benches quickly got cleared as Soler and Lopez fought down the first base line. Lopez was seen hitting Soler on the side of his helmet with the baseball still in his hand.

Braves manager Walt Weiss also came into the spotlight during this fight. The 62-year-old would tackle Soler in an attempt to stop the brawl between him and Lopez. Check out an angle of this action below:

Weiss, who was the bench coach of the Braves in 2021 when Soler was part of the World Series-winning team, was seen with Ozzie Albies trying to calm down the 34-year-old star. Once things calmed down, both Soler and Lopez were ejected from the game by umpire Vic Carapazza.

Braves manager Walt Weiss explains why he tackled Jorge Soler during benches clearing brawl

Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez got involved in a fight on Tuesday night after an intense moment. During their fight, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss took down Soler. After the game, he explained why he did that.

Walt Weiss and Jorge Soler
Walt Weiss and Jorge Soler (Image via MLB/ESPN)

As mentioned above, Weiss had spent time with Soler before. As the former Braves star started swinging at Lopez, players and coaches rushed to the field to separate the two players.

In this, Weiss would come out and tackle Soler to the ground. Fans on social media would go into a frenzy after watching this and made several jokes regarding it.

While speaking with the reporters after the game, the Braves manager expressed that he had to do that otherwise Soler could have hurt someone.

I love Soler. We were teammates here, but that’s a big man. I just felt like I had to get him off his feet because he’s going to hurt somebody.

Walt Weiss on tackling Jorge Soler

Soler, meanwhile, claimed that he did not hold anything against Weiss for this tackle. While speaking through his interpreter, the outfielder/designated hitter expressed that Weiss was just trying to protect him.

We have a good relationship. I don’t think he tried to do anything against me. We’re friends. I think he was just trying to protect me.

Jorge Soler said through his interpreter via Rhett Bollinger

The Angels, who were 4-2 down at the time of the incident, were unable to make a comeback. They went down 7-2 in this game and are 6-6 for the season after 12 games.

The Braves, on the other hand, are 7-5. The two sides will take part in the rubber game on Wednesday and hope to end the series on a high note. As for Soler and Lopez, the two stars could face suspension from the MLB in the upcoming days.

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