Devers lights up Coors Field: Home run sparks Giants vs. Rockies brawl

Brawl at Coors Field: Devers and Freeland have tense encounter

A two-run homer by Rafael Devers in the first inning sparked a tense confrontation at Coors Field, leading the Rockies and Giants benches and bullpens to empty after a war of words and pushing. The incident occurred when Devers, after connecting with the left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland’s pitch, took a few seconds to admire the trajectory of the ball before starting his run around the bases. This gesture provoked a reaction from the Colorado pitcher, who began to berate him. Devers responded to the provocations before reaching the initial base, which led to the intervention of players from both teams on the field. The situation intensified with the participation of Matt Chapman and Willy Adames, who were ejected along with Freeland by the umpires.

BENCHES CLEAR after Rafael Devers hits a homer 😳🚨
(via @NBCSGiants) pic.twitter.com/ZsErOhDjmB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 3, 2023

The game was stopped for several minutes. In fact, Devers completed his home run trot eight minutes after hitting the 397-foot blast. Despite the ejections and tension, the Giants achieved a 7-4 victory, their ninth in their last ten matches, which put them back above .500 (70-69). In addition to Devers, the offensive power was backed by home runs from Casey Schmitt, Wilmer Flores and Patrick Bailey, while starter Logan Webb was credited with the win with seven strikeouts in five innings.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t do anything different than when I hit a home run. I don’t know why it bothered him,” Devers said.

Rafael Devers

Freeland, with a 3-14 record and a 5.41 ERA in the season, justified his reaction by pointing out that he felt “disrespected” by Devers’ attitude.