Astros Pitcher Hits Angels Shortstop, Sparks Bench-Clearing Incident

During a tense MLB game between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels, Astros pitcher Hunter Brown hit Angels shortstop Zach Neto with a 95 mph sinker, sparking a heated benches-clearing incident. Neto expressed frustration, indicating this was the second time Brown hit him, referencing a prior incident last season, while Brown defended his pitch, blaming Neto's stance near the plate. Despite the confrontation and emotional exchange, no punches were thrown, and no players were ejected; home plate umpire John Libka and Astros catcher Yainer Diaz intervened to calm tensions. The game remained competitive, going into extra innings with the Astros ultimately winning 3-2 after scoring on a wild pitch. This incident highlights ongoing debates in MLB about player positioning, pitch control, and the fine line between aggressive pitching and player safety. Both teams continued their rivalry with no further incidents, though the Astros maintained a stronger season record compared to the Angels.