Cardinals manager Oli Marmol looked closely at the video of his first base coach Stubby Clapp pulling Pete Alonso to the ground during the Mets and Cardinals benches-clearing altercation on Wednesday, and Marmol doesn’t have any problem with how his coach handled things.
“I just watched the video. He’s making sure that guy doesn’t come after one of ours,” Marmol said. “He’s holding him back. I don’t see an issue with it at all. I watched it several times before coming in here, and he’s keeping their guy from getting on top of one of ours. I’m OK with it.”
Benches emptied after Yoan Lopez fired a high-and-tight fastball on Nolan Arenado, seemingly a clear retaliation for Genesis Cabrera hitting J.D. Davis on the ankle earlier in the inning, marking the 19th hit batter for the Mets this season, and fourth this series. Arenado angrily motioned towards Lopez, and the benches emptied.
But Marmol doesn’t have a problem with Arenado’s response, but took exception to Lopez’s up-and-in pitch.
“I didn’t love it at all,” Marmol said. “When you come up top like that and jeopardize someone's career and life, yeah I take exception to that. I don’t think anyone in the big leagues appreciates getting thrown up top. Nolan has every right to react the way he did and go after him, and we protect that.”
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