Nationals’ Jorge López ejected after throwing pitch near Andrew McCutchen’s head, benches clear

Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishTensions between the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates intensified Wednesday night after Washington reliever Jorge López threw a pitch near Andrew McCutchen’s head, resulting in the benches clearing and López being ejected.In the seventh inning of Pittsburgh’s 6-1 win, López threw a slider high and inside to McCutchen, who fell to the ground to avoid getting hit by the ball. The near-miss came after López hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch in the previous at-bat.The home plate umpire ejected López, who exchanged words with McCutchen, prompting both benches to clear. There was some chirping on both sides before the Nationals and Pirates returned to their dugouts.
Pirates and Nationals clear the benches after Jorge Lopez throws a pitch near Andrew McCutchen’s head. Lopez was ejected. Oneil Cruz had to hold back Tommy Pham pic.twitter.com/ZOZxmkxTLi
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 17, 2025Eduardo Salazar replaced López and walked McCutchen before giving up a grand slam to Oneil Cruz later in the inning.The friction between Washington and Pittsburgh comes after Nationals infielder Paul DeJong fractured his nose Tuesday night when he was hit in the face by a pitch. In the sixth inning, Mitch Keller’s 92.7 mph four-seamer struck DeJong, leaving him with a gash on his nose and under his left eye.Nationals manager Dave Martinez and athletic trainer Paul Lessard attended to DeJong, and Lessard held a towel up to DeJong’s face to try to stop the bleeding. DeJong eventually walked off the field under his own power while holding the towel over his nose.DeJong stayed at a hospital overnight and was released Wednesday. The Nationals said DeJong would return to Washington, D.C., while the team finishes its three-city road trip.López was ejected while with the New York Mets last year and was subsequently designated for assignment after he threw his glove into the crowd at Citi Field. He eventually landed with the Chicago Cubs and ended the season with a 2.89 ERA over 52 games, his best mark since posting a 2.54 ERA in his All-Star season in 2022. He has a 10.57 ERA in his first eight games with the Nationals this year.(Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)