Cavalli, Contreras Suspended 7 Games, Mikolas 5, Eaton 3 — MLB

Benches clear at Fenway as Cavalli and Contreras land 7-game suspensions.

The brawl began in the 7th inning of the Washington Nationals game against the Boston Red Sox. The Nationals’ Cade Cavalli and the Chicago Cubs’ Willson Contreras led the charge, trading punches as teammates rushed to their defense. The melee spilled onto the field, with Nationals’ pitcher Miles Mikolas and Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton getting in on the action. By the time the umpires intervened, five players had been ejected.

The Nationals went on to win the game 8-2, with Cavalli’s teammates seemingly more upset about the loss than the altercation. But for Cavalli, Contreras, Mikolas, and Eaton, the focus now shifts to serving out their suspensions. Cavalli and Contreras will miss the rest of the Nationals’ series against the Philadelphia Phillies, while Mikolas will return to the mound on Sunday. Eaton’s three-game ban is unlikely to hurt the Red Sox’s playoff push, but it’s a minor setback in an otherwise dominant season.

As for Cavalli and Contreras, their actions have consequences that go beyond the game. Both players will forfeit $123,000 in salary for the seven games they’ll miss.

The Nationals and Cubs will meet again on September 12 at Nationals Park. It’s unclear what will transpire when Cavalli and Contreras return to the field, but one thing is certain: the tension will be palpable.