The Denver Brewers rookie left fielder Val Guzman has been hit by pitches a league-leading 15 times this season. But apparently number 15 was one too many for the highly respected young man.
Now, just to put things in context, when Charlotte closer and team captain Mark Wachholz hit Guzman in the 8th inning of Thursday's game it was just after Joe McPhillips had hit the third home run of the game for the Brewers. And Guzman himself had hit one just an inning prior. (He had also swiped his 25th base earlier in the game.) In the eyes of the Brewers Wachholz pitch did not get away from him but very much did what he intended it to do. And this led to Guzman charging the mound and the benches clearing.
The outcome didn't break in favor of the home club Sting as Guzman's replacement in left field, John Flores, would homer in his only at-bat to pad the lead in the 9th inning and help secure the sixth straight win for Denver.
Guzman will miss 3 games but fortunately the Brewers outfield is deep and talented.