Odor clocked Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista in the face on Sunday following an illegal late slide into second.
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor has been suspended by MLB for 8 games following a brawl during Sunday's game between the Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays. He will reportedly appeal.
A potential suspension for Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has not yet been announced for his role in the brawl.
Sunday afternoon's game in Arlington, Texas, was the last of a three-game weekend series against the Jays — the teams had previously met this season at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Jose Bautista after hitting a home run in ALDS Game 5.
Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images
In the 8th inning of Sunday's game, Rangers relief pitcher Matt Bush — who was appearing in only his second game in the major leagues after serving 3 1/4 years in prison for nearly killing a motorcyclist in Florida while driving drunk — plunked Bautista with a pitch in the ribs. The Rangers were up one run, and Bush's hit by pitch, deliberate or not, put the tying run on base.
Two batters later, Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak hit into a double play to end the inning. While running for second, however, Bautista aggressively and illegally started a late slide that looked to take out Rangers second baseman Odor. The subject of late slides at second base has been one of much contention this season, following a rule change that in theory will make plays at second safer, but has mostly led to confusion.
Odor responded to the slide by punching Bautista squarely in the face. Bautista was held back by veteran Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, but players from both teams rushed the field and started pushing and shoving each other.
The next inning, Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Chavez plunked Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder, again causing the benches to clear briefly.
The Rangers held on to their one-run lead to win the game.
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