Things got weird at Fenway Park on Tuesday night. And not just because the Red Sox lost 8-1 to the Nationals.
Willson Contreras, Boston’s first baseman, was involved in another benches-clearing incident — his second in as many games, and his third dustup in less than a week. This time it started when Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli struck him out in the fourth inning. Contreras turned, looked back at Cavalli and appeared to say something. Catcher Keibert Ruiz stepped in to separate them, but Contreras broke free, charged toward Cavalli and flung his helmet. Both benches emptied, though nothing escalated beyond a lot of pushing and shouting.
Contreras was ejected. It was his second straight game getting tossed. On Monday he was thrown out in the second inning after making a gesture at first base umpire Nic Lentz while walking back to the dugout.
After Tuesday’s loss, a fan on Instagram called Contreras a derogatory name and said, “I’m a diehard Sox fan.” Contreras replied directly: “come meet me at Fenway Park.”
More than baseball
There’s a bigger story here. Contreras is from Venezuela, and over the weekend a massive earthquake struck the country. The death toll has passed 1,900. Contreras has been visibly shaken. On Monday he hit an emotional three-run homer and was seen screaming “Venezuela” before breaking down in the dugout.
The guy is dealing with a lot. That doesn’t excuse challenging a fan to a fight. But it does explain why a professional athlete who usually keeps his cool is suddenly boiling over every single night.
Last weekend, Contreras also got into it with Yankees pitcher Will Warren, sparking another bench-clearing incident in that series. So this isn’t isolated. It’s a pattern, and it’s happening fast.
What happens next is unclear. The league could fine him or hand down a suspension. The Red Sox haven’t commented publicly beyond acknowledging the ejections. But if you’re watching from home and wondering why a guy making millions looks like he’s about to snap — the earthquake in his home country is almost certainly part of the answer.
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