Things got heated between the Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly and Astros Carlos Correa on Tuesday night.
Kelly, who was on the Boston Red Sox team that got beat by the “cheating” Astros team in the 2017 Division Series, got things going in the sixth inning when he threw a 96-mph fastball over the head of Alex Bregman, then a curveball over the head of Carlos Correa a few batters later.
https://twitter.com/AsteriskTour/status/1288310632090079238
https://twitter.com/AsteriskTour/status/1288312530620866560
Kelly would go on taunt Correa after striking him out by yelling ‘ you gotta cheat to hit” followed by several other expletives which led to the benches clearing.
https://twitter.com/AsteriskTour/status/1288313888421838849
Joe Kelly said “you gotta cheat to hit” as he mocked Correa after striking him out. I love baseball
— 5 should be an even number (@cid0nit) July 29, 2020
According to Astros manager Dusty Baker, Kelly yelled ‘nice swing, bitch” after the strikeout which set off Correa.
Dusty Baker on #Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly: "What really enraged everybody was what he told Carlos [Correa] when he struck him out, "Nice swing bitch!''
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 29, 2020
Dusty Baker on Joe Kelly and telling Carlos Correa, “Nice swing, bitch.” #Astros pic.twitter.com/0nKyB1ZAOV
— patrick (@PatDStat) July 29, 2020
After the game, Kelly said that he didn’t throw at the Astros players’ heads on purpose when asked about the incident.
Joe Kelly said he did not throw at the Astros on purpose. "My accuracy isn’t the best,” he said, referencing the window he broke at his home.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) July 29, 2020
Update: Kelly has been suspended for eight games by the MLB for his actions on Tuesday night.
Joe Kelly has received an eight-game suspension. He will appeal. Dave Roberts has received a one-game suspension and will serve it tonight. Houston manager Dusty Baker received a fine as part of the incident last night.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 29, 2020