Tensions flared in D.C. on Friday night after Nationals reliever Steve Cishek struck Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor with an 0-1 fastball that hit him in the face.
Lindor became the fourth Mets player to be hit by a pitch in just 14 innings of baseball against the Nationals to start the season.
Mets manager Buck Showalter took exception to Cishek’s pitch striking his star shortstop, and left the dugout to aggressively approach Cishek. As anticipated, the benches cleared, the bullpens cleared and tensions hit a crescendo at Nationals Park.
Lindor left the game due to the injury and was replaced by Luis Guillorme as a pinch runner.