A quiet opening day at Citi Field took a loud and ugly turn in the top of the eighth inning.
On Friday, the Mets and Brewers dugouts and bullpens emptied and shouts were exchanged but no punches were thrown after Rhys Hoskins’ wild slide struck out Jeff McNeil at second base.
With the Brewers leading 3-1, Hoskins came in late, but within the rules, trying to break up a double play on Willie Adames’ grounder.
McNeil caught the throw with his feet on the base and attempted to complete the turn, but he flipped over, clearly angry.
McNeil got up and stood over Hoskins, yelling at him even as Hoskins got up and started running off the field.
Hoskins turned around near third base and yelled back, at one point making a “crybaby” gesture by pumping his fist in front of him.
A few minutes later, players from both teams returned to their own territory, and the Mets unsuccessfully appealed for a violation on Hoskins. Hoskins was able to hang on to second base, but he didn’t get past it.
