Washington Nationals reliever Jorge Lopez was suspended three games and Nationals manager Dave Martinez one game by MLB for intentionally throwing a pitch at Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen on Wednesday night.
After Lopez hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch in the seventh inning, he threw a 92-mph fastball at McCutchen’s head that forced the five-time All-Star to fall to the dirt to avoid being hit. The two exchanged words, and both benches cleared.
Reynolds and McCutchen homered off Lopez in the eighth inning of a 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs last Sept. 2. Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller hit Paul DeJong in the face with a pitch Tuesday night, which forced the Nationals third baseman to go on the 10-day injured list.
“I apologize for everything,” Lopez said after the game, per The Washington Post. “I didn’t make any purpose pitch right there. I’ve been trying to find my way with my delivery, been trying to find my way through the whole season. It’s really miserable to have that happen. I regret what just happened.”
Added McCutchen: “Even if it wasn’t on purpose, which I don’t really think it was, I think it was just the height of the moment got to him maybe. One got away from him, similar to Mitch. Praise God for quick reflexes.”
Martinez served his suspension Thursday afternoon, but Lopez was permitted to play while appealing his punishment.
