A major brawl in a minor league game instigated by rehabbing Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena against the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate resulted in the suspension of 11 players.
The benches cleared twice during Arruebarrena’s at-bat for the Albuquerque Isotopes in the second inning Saturday night. The second time, Arruebarrena took exception to Reno Aces catcher Blake Lalli brushing past him after he struck out. Arruebarrena shoved Lalli and then threw his helmet at him, setting off a melee that lasted 21 minutes and resulted in 10 ejections, including Reno manager Phil Nevin, a former major league All-Star.
Arruebarrena was not among the five Isotopes suspended because he was on a rehabilitation assignment. Any discipline would come from the commissioner’s office. But Arruebarrena has since been sent to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga by the Dodgers.
Pitcher Kameron Loe, first baseman Mike Jacobs and outfielder Aaron Cunningham, all former major leaguers, were among six Aces suspended.
