Dodgers, Padres Brawl 2013 [VIDEO]: Greinke Breaks Collarbone, Quentin Likely Suspended
San Diego Padres slugger Carlos Quentin took a major hit last night during the Dodger's 3-2 victory, and he wasn't the only one. After Quentin was struck by Dodgers ace Zach Greinke's pitch in the sixth inning, he proceeded to charge the mound and break Greinke's left collarbone.
There has been bad blood brewing between the two players for years now, as Greinke had hit Quentin with pitches two other times in his career. After this latest incident Quentin approached the mound, Greinke appeared to say something to the slugger, who then immediately charged the Dodgers' ace and knocked him to the ground.
The result was a broken left collarbone that will likely keep Greinke out for roughly two months. Though no announcement has been made yet, Quentin is likely to be handed a sizable suspension for his involvement in the injury.
The altercation will assuredly be a big blow to both teams as they begin the long road to the World Series. Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young winner, and Quentin, the highest paid player on the Padres roster, are vital contributors to their respective teams, teams who can ill afford such thoughtless behavior.
"I think Carlos Quentin went to Stanford, something like that? I heard there's smart people at Stanford. That wasn't too smart," says Dodgers star Matt Kemp. "Greinke didn't do anything wrong. That stuff happens in the minor leagues. It doesn't happen in the big leagues."
The Dodgers, 6-3 and early-season favorites to contend for the World Series, will probably be able to manage alright in Greinke's absence. They have both Aaron Harang and Chris Capuono as possible replacements, two pitchers who have proven themselves before in starting rotations.
The Padres, however, are a woeful 2-7, and the last thing they needed was to have Quentin, who is often the third batter in their lineup, suspended for what could be over a month. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has already been quoted as that he believes Quentin should be out at least as long as it takes for Greinke to recover.
As questionable as it was for Quentin to charge the mound, it was downright confusing to see Greinke initiate the brawl. Equally baffling was the fact that he would attempt a full-on collision with a man who is nearly 50 pounds heavier.
"I don't remember the last time I wanted to get in a fight with someone," the damaged goods Greinke told reporters. "But now, I guess."
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