One of the lesser-discussed NL West rivalries had its moment on Tuesday night, as things got heated between the Giants and Rockies during their game at Coors Field.
A First-Inning Bomb Lights the Fuse
It all kicked off before the first out was even recorded. Rafael Devers, doing what Rafael Devers does, sent a missile into the right-field seats off Kyle Freeland. Two-run shot. Boom. Scoreboard lit up. Devers apparently had some choice words for Freeland on his way to first base. And not just a little chirping either — he was shouting at him.
Now, Freeland’s not exactly the kind of guy to back down, especially not on his home mound, and what started as jawing turned into a full-on powder keg situation. Devers made it to first base but kept the heat coming. And then it exploded.
Giants Bench Clear, Fists Fly
Benches cleared. Coaches flooded the field. Players collided in the infield as if it were a football game. And yes, punches were thrown. This wasn’t your typical “hold me back” baseball scuffle. This was fists, shoving, and all-out mayhem, catching the broadcast team completely flat-footed. One moment, they were calling a two-run homer; the next, they were scrambling to narrate a brawl.
And here’s the kicker: Devers never even finished his home run trot. He was so fired up, he just… stopped. Right there. Umpires eventually told him, “Hey, uh, you actually still need to touch the bases if you want that homer to count.” So, after throwing verbal haymakers — and watching real ones fly — Devers casually finished his tour of the bases like nothing happened.
Ejections and Fallout on a Wild Night
Once the dust settled and the ump crew huddled up, the discipline came down hard. Three ejections followed. The Giants lost Willy Adames and Matt Chapman to the melee. Colorado’s Freeland got the boot and was replaced by Antonio Senzatela, whose first task was walking into a game that already felt like a playoff fight night.
We still don’t know exactly what sparked Devers’ outburst, but whatever it was, it turned a routine Tuesday night game into an NL West grudge match nobody saw coming. And with more games on the calendar between these two? Buckle up.
This rivalry just got personal.
