Jays-Rangers baseball game marred by heated brawl

Odor landed a right hook on Bautista’s jaw, starting a brawl in eighth inning

If you know anything about baseball you would know that the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers aren’t on the friendliest terms in Major League Baseball (MLB). The hostile feelings were on full display in Sunday’s game when the clubs engaged in a full-on brawl after Jays’ Jose Bautista performed a late slide at second base.

With the Rangers up 7-6 in the eighth inning, Bautista attempted to move from first to second base after Justin Smoak hit a ball to Adrian Beltre. Beltre threw to second where Bautista slid into the bag late.

Even though second baseman Rougned Odor was able to avoid the slide, he took offence to Bautista's actions. Odor pushed Bautista, and then landed a right hook on Bautista’s jaw, starting a brawl in the eighth inning.




Players from benches joined in the ensuing fight, shoving and hitting members of the opposing team. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons ran onto the field during the brawl and had words with Rangers manager Jeff Banister.

Following the incident, both Bautista and third baseman Josh Donaldson were ejected from the contest. On the Rangers side, Odor and coach Steve Buechele were ejected from the game.



The Rangers were able to hold onto the lead, eventually winning the game 7-6.

Last year, Bautista was involved in another controversy against Texas Rangers when he hit a home run and flipped his bat high in the air before running all bases.


The move was a celebratory gesture that was applauded by Jays fans, but drew ire from Rangers players who deemed it unsportsmanlike.

(With input from Yahoo Sports)