Yasiel Puig went out with a bang.
Moments after news broke that Yasiel Puig was involved in a three-team trade that will send him to the Cleveland Indians, Puig rushed to the defense of his teammates, after pitcher Amir Garrett decided to take on the entire Pirates roster. Puig was ejected for his role in the bench-clearing brawl.
With Pittsburgh leading 11-3 with two outs in the ninth, Reds left-hander Amir Garrett was seen exchanging words with the Pirates dugout during a mound visit. Garrett then proceeded to storm off the mound and charge toward the opposing dugout, throwing punches at a number of Pittsburgh’s players.
Players from both teams took the field and exchanged blows. Puig joined in late and was spotted pushing a number of Pirates players before being separated.
Reds manager David Bell, who had been ejected earlier in the game for arguing balls and strikes — came back out and charged Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle.
The Reds' and Pirates' benches have cleared. pic.twitter.com/za8hYc0zuX
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) July 31, 2019
Overall, eight, including Bell, Garrett and Puig, were ejected Tuesday. The Pirates went on to win the game 11-4.
Puig found out about the trade after his ejection, he said.
“I’m going to miss all my teammates here,” Puig told reporters after the game.
With trade reports swirling across the baseball world, Yasiel Puig reflects on what may have been his final night with the #Reds.#BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/QJqeJqHiwh
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) July 31, 2019
Garrett will accept any punishment MLB hands down, he said.
“I apologize for my actions, but in the heat of things, sometimes they get the best of you,” Garrett said.
"At the end of the day, it's about protecting your teammates, protecting yourself."
Frustrated that "nobody's protecting us," Amir Garrett describes how his emotions got the best of him.#BornToBaseball | #Reds pic.twitter.com/q2eIMJ7NXN
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) July 31, 2019
The teams have a short turnaround. They play each other again Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
