A belated call for time, a pair of hit-by-pitches and a game-ending strikeout stretched across two days to produce a tepid postgame incident between the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds.
Giants closer Erik Miller struck out Reds rookie Sal Stewart to finish the team’s 3-0 victory Thursday, April 16 at Great American Ball Park. The 6-5 lefty exulted and walked toward his own dugout. Stewart, though, apparently took issue with some unreported verbosity, turned and headed toward Miller.
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Giants catcher Patrick Bailey interceded and Miller used the international symbol for “go back to your dugout” as the benches ambled out and bullpens jogged in out of curiosity.
The kerfuffle’s roots sprang from a night earlier, when Giants reliever JT Brubaker got perturbed by a late timeout call from Reds slugger Spencer Steer as Brubaker prepared to deliver a pitch in the bottom of the seventh.
Brubaker responded, in a sense, by waiting until the final second on the pitch clock to deliver his next pitch. That prompted Steer, captured by video cameras, to shout, “Throw the (expletive) ball.” The Reds went on to win 8-3.
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A day later, Giants starter Landen Roupp, who took a no-hitter into the sixth, drilled Steer in the ribs in Steer’s first at-bat of the game in the second inning. It was the only four-seam fastball Roupp threw all day. He later told reporters the pitch slipped.
In the eighth, Reds reliever Connor Phillips responded by drilling the Giants’ Willy Adames in the leg with a pitch. Adames looked out at the pitcher; benches stirred, but weren’t shaken. Phillips was ejected, to the mild objections of Reds manager Terry Francona.
And then, the game-ending drama, which resulted in Miller confined to the visiting dugout for postgame handshakes. Sadly, the relievers had to retreat to their bullpens, as they did not secure their belongings before jogging in for the postgame extracurriculars.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
Across Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson Day is observed as players take the field wearing the same number in recognition of his legacy.
These images show moments from around the league as teams mark the occasion during regular‑season play.
Above, Simeon Woods Richardson #24 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning at Target Field on April 15, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
Across Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson Day is observed as players take the field wearing the same number in recognition of his legacy.
These images show moments from around the league as teams mark the occasion during regular‑season play.
Above, Simeon Woods Richardson #24 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning at Target Field on April 15, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his three-run home run as he rounds the bases against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field on April 15, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
A view of third base in honor of Jackie Robinson Day prior to the start of the game between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins at Target Field on April 15, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
Texas Rangers first baseman Ezequiel Duran and relief pitcher Luke Jackson celebrate making the last out against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. All MLB players will be wearing the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day to commemorate Robinson making his major league debut in 1947.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) slides safely past Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) for a stolen base during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Players and coaches are wearing number 42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson Day.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
Starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez #57 of the Arizona Diamondbacks gathers on the mound with teammates during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 15, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB
Nolan Arenado #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks warms up before playing against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 15, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giants-Reds MLB brawl: Watch benches clear in Cincinnati
