Here's What Hector Neris Said to Cause Benches to Clear in Mariners-Astros Game on Wednesday
The benches cleared on Wednesday night in Seattle between the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.
The Astros won the game 8-3 to move to 1.5 games up on Seattle in the American League wild card picture but it was what happened in the sixth inning that caused that fracas.
Leading 4-3, Astros reliever Hector Neris struck out Mariners' star Julio Rodriguez. After that strikeout which ended the inning, with Rodriguez walking back to the dugout, Neris ran at Rodriguez and appeared to say something to him.
Rodriguez didn't like it and the benches cleared. No punches were thrown but the Mariners certainly reacted, with Eugenio Suarez being among the most vocal.
You can watch the scene unfold:
Rodriguez is a pretty mild-mannered player so it was rare to see him react in this way, so people were wondering what was said by Neris.
Adam Jude of the 'Seattle Times' had this report after the game:
Video replays appear to show Hector Neris using a homophobic slur in Spanish when he approached Julio Rodriguez. Mariners' Eugenio Suarez, in the on deck circle at the time, confirmed to The Seattle Times that that’s what Neris said.
This isn't the first time that the Mariners and Astros have had issues over the years. Just in August, the benches cleared after Framber Valdez hit Jose Caballero with a pitch and Neris himself was suspended after throwing at Suarez in 2022.
The Mariners are now 85-73 and will need help to get into the playoffs for the second straight year. They will play the Texas Rangers on Thursday night at 9:40 p.m. ET.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
