*This content was translated by AI.
A single game saw five hit-by-pitch incidents. While Seattle Mariners had already been hit four times, Detroit Tigers, who were trailing, also exploded in reaction.
Seattle and Detroit engaged in a bench-clearing incident during their 2026 MLB game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, on the 6th (Korean time), when Detroit was batting in the bottom of the 8th inning.
As a result, Seattle pitcher Gabe Spayer and manager Dan Wilson were both ordered to leave the game. Although five hit-by-pitch incidents occurred during this game, only the final one was considered problematic.
Seattle's starting right-handed pitcher Brian Woo delivered a scoreless performance over seven innings with three hits allowed, one walk, and five strikeouts. During that outing, he hit three batters.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Woo hit leadoff batter Max Clark's elbow guard, allowing him to reach base. With Clark positioned close to the inside part of the plate, Woo's fastball drifted deep toward his body, yet Clark made no visible effort to avoid it. Woo even protested to the umpire that Clark had intentionally extended his elbow.
In the bottom of the 4th inning with one out and a runner on second base, Woo's slider hit Riley Green on the leg, allowing another baserunner. Although the pitch was deep inside, there was little complaint from Detroit's side, possibly because it was a breaking ball.
In the bottom of the 5th inning with two outs and no runners on base, Woo's second curveball aimed at Jack McInstry was directed toward his foot. However, video review confirmed it was a hit-by-pitch, though the impact did not appear severe.
Detroit also experienced a hit-by-pitch incident. Emmanuel De Hayssus, who played for Kiwoom Heroes in 2024 and KT Wiz in 2025, appeared as Detroit's relief pitcher. After giving up a three-run home run in the bottom of the 6th while trailing, he entered the game as Detroit's fifth pitcher in the bottom of the 7th and hit leadoff batter Kal Lally with a pitch.
A fastball clocked at 94.7 mph (152.4 km/h) struck Lally's rib area. Lally immediately collapsed in the batter's box. Still, no major issue arose here, especially considering Seattle had already committed three hit-by-pitch incidents earlier.
However, the situation changed in the 8th inning. After Brian Woo completed seven scoreless innings, reliever Gabe Spayer delivered a fastball aimed at Glaber Torres's leg with two outs and no runners on base. The pitch, clocked at 96.3 mph (154.9 km/h), hit Torres on the leg. Since the first pitch of the at-bat was also inside, there was reasonable suspicion of intent. Despite Torres actively trying to avoid it, the ball struck his left leg.
Torres expressed his displeasure and confronted catcher Lally, leading to a tense exchange. Players from both teams then rushed onto the field, triggering a bench-clearing incident.
After deliberation, the umpires ordered Spayer's ejection, judging that he had intentionally targeted Torres. Unlike previous incidents, this was deemed deliberate. Manager Dan Wilson immediately ran onto the field to protest but was also ejected.
Detroit quickly responded with a home run to narrow the deficit by one run but could not overturn the outcome. Seattle finished the inning leading 3-2. In the bottom of the 8th, Emerson hit a home run off De Hayssus to extend their lead, and Andres Munoz closed out the game in the bottom of the 9th.
More details about the bench-clearing incident were available via MLB's official website, MLB.com. Torres stated, "I think they were trying to protect Lally. I don't believe we intentionally hit him." He added, "But that's just baseball. Lally is an opposing player, and it's natural for them to try to protect him."
This comment referred to the moment when Seattle players rushed onto the field after Lally was hit by a fastball and Torres approached him. Since the hit-by-pitch occurred right after Lally had been struck, some might have assumed he intentionally drew such pitches to influence the pitcher's strategy.
Nevertheless, Torres said, "I have no issues, and I never said anything inappropriate to Lally. I simply stated that we didn't intend to hit him on purpose. Before stepping into the batter's box, I even asked about his well-being. Being hit by a pitch is never pleasant. When I was hit, I intended to tell him, 'Hayssus hit you with two strikes, but it wasn't intentional.' I don't want to fight anyone. That's not my style. It can't be helped. Everything is fine."
Torres handled the situation maturely. Even though the pitch had flown deep toward his body, he remarked, "I think that's professional play. Pitchers aim for appropriate body parts rather than dangerous areas like the face. I'm okay. No problem."
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch explained, "Two consecutive pitches were thrown to Torres at unusual locations, one of which was a fastball, causing significant emotional reactions among players. Ultimately, everyone went onto the field, and the umpires determined it was an intentional pitch, resulting in ejections. Since this occurred right after Lally was hit by a fastball, it created an uncomfortable situation for everyone."
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*This content was translated by AI.
