NEW YORK. – The game between the Mets and Marlins on Sunday at Citi Field had a tense moment when the benches and bullpens of both teams emptied in the seventh inning, after Dominican starter Sandy Alcántara hit New York’s designated hitter, Mark Vientos, with a changeup.
With Miami dominating 5-0 and Alcántara pitching impeccably, the 90.4 mph pitch hit Vientos’ leg, which led to a cross of glances and words between the two. Immediately, players from both sides invaded the field amid the tense atmosphere.
Benches clear in Queens after Sandy Alcántara plunked Mark Vientos.
“A lot of emotions, trying to spark a rally,” Vientos commented after the game, avoiding delving into the verbal exchange. “I just wanted to find a way to get on base, but things got heated.”
The incident didn’t escalate: there were no ejections and the umpires chose to issue warnings to both teams. Alcántara, for his part, downplayed the clash: “It was a change. He looked at me and I didn’t like it, but these things happen. Today you can be upset and tomorrow you can be sharing together.”8
Benches clear in Queens after Sandy Alcántara plunked Mark Vientos.
The Mets manager, Carlos Mendoza, also defended that there was no intention. “Obviously Sandy is not trying to hit him, it was a change. Nobody likes to be hit, and Mark’s reaction was frustration”, he pointed out.
The altercation closed out a bitter series for New York, which fell 5-1 and lost three of four commitments to the Marlins, after having previously swept the Phillies.
With Miami dominating 5-0 and Alcántara pitching impeccably, the 90.4 mph pitch hit Vientos’ leg, which led to a cross of glances and words between the two. Immediately, players from both sides invaded the field amid the tense atmosphere.
