SF Giants’ Chapman suspended after benches clear vs. Rockies

Major League Baseball handed out the harshest punishment for Tuesday’s benches-clearing incident at Coors Field to Matt Chapman.

The San Francisco Giants’ third baseman was suspended for one game for his role in the fracas, which took place only two batters into the game. While Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, Giants first baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Willy Adames were fined undisclosed amounts, Chapman was the only player to receive a suspension.

Chapman appealed the punishment, leaving him eligible for Wednesday’s game.

The altercation occurred after Devers launched a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. Freeland took issue with Devers’ admiration of his moonshot and interrupted his home-run trot, which prompted the benches to empty.

Chapman, who was in the hole, waiting for his turn to bat, was first to reach the mound and shoved Freeland. Adames, in the on-deck circle, was also one of the first Giants to arrive on the scene and was shown cocking his arm but recoiling before attempting a punch.

Devers, who jawed back and forth with Freeland, left the bases to enter the fray on the infield grass but was eventually allowed to finish circling the bases. Chapman, Adames and Freeland were all ejected from the game, leaving the Giants without the entirety of the left side of their infield and the Rockies without their starting pitcher.

The Giants went on to win the game, 7-4, despite having to deploy Devers at third base for the first time all season and Casey Schmitt as their substitute second baseman a day after being hit by a pitch on his elbow, leaving him unable to throw across the diamond.