Marlins-Nationals Brawl Started by Pitcher Chris Volstad

A Marlins-Nationals brawl took place Wednesday. The Marlins-Nationals brawl was tipped off by Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad throwing at Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan in the sixth inning of the game, leading to both benches emptying and a full-out brawl taking place near the pitching mound. Some have been quick to blame Nyjer Morgan for what took place on Wednesday, but that would be a rash judgment in this situation. The reason for this brawl was pitcher Chris Volstad, and Major League Baseball would be remiss if they did not suspend him the longest.

Bad blood between the Florida Marlins and the Washington Nationals started on Tuesday, when Brett Hayes was covering the plate in the 10th inning and Morgan collided with him. The collision caused Hayes to suffer a separated shoulder, taking him out of the game. Hayes also held on to the ball, though, as the home plate umpire called Morgan out during the play. It was just a hard-nosed baseball play, one in which Hayes was impeding the runner, but also one in which some people feel that Morgan should have slid, and possibly injured his ankle.

Flash forward to Wednesday night, with the Marlins up 14-3 in the top of the fourth inning. Volstad threw a pitch at Morgan, apparently in retaliation for what took place on Tuesday. Morgan was hit in the side, and he took his base without incident, obviously realizing that it was Florida paying him back for the play at the plate in the previous game. Morgan then proceeded to steal second and third base, and then scored on a sacrifice fly. This rubbed Florida the wrong way again, because apparently Washington was supposed to roll over when they went down 14-3. That would lead Volstad to instigate the brawl in the top of the sixth inning.

Morgan came to the plate, and Volstad threw a pitch about a foot behind Morgan in an obvious attempt to send another message. Morgan wasn't hearing it and charged the mound, landing one punch (sort of) before Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez took him out with a clothesline. Both benches were emptied, and the umpires ejected Morgan, Volstad, as well as Edwin Rodriguez and Jose Veras of Florida.

Next we wait for the suspensions, and while it is clear that Morgan has to be suspended, Volstad needs at least one more game for instigating the brawl in the first place. He hit Morgan in the fourth inning, and that's just baseball, but when he went after him a second time, he crossed the line.

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