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Somehow, things continue to go from bad to worse for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are staring down their seventh consecutive losing season. This time, their problems involve relief pitcher Dennis Santana after he threw a punch at a fan who appeared to be taunting him from above the bullpen at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Video of the incident appears to show the fan and Santana engaging in a verbal altercation before bullpen security attempted to step in. When Santana pointed out the fan, presumably to have him ejected, the two kept exchanging words before the right-handed pitcher jumped up and swung his left arm at the fan.
Dennis Santana are we serious???? @espn pic.twitter.com/8XywEyTZtO
— Spencer Torkelson Believer (@TorkBeliever) June 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates Reliever Dennis Santana Says Fan ‘Crossed The Line’ Before Punch
“You guys know me and know my temper,” Santana said via an interpreter after the game. “I’m a calm person. They just crossed the line a few times. I would like to leave it like that.
“Like I said, they crossed the line too many times. It doesn’t justify the actions, but it was too much.”
Pirates general manager Don Kelly said that he is “still gathering facts” on the incident before making any decisions regarding potential punishments for Santana.
The incident occurred during the seventh inning with the score tied 4-4. Santana later came into the game in the ninth and recorded one out before the game was delayed due to rain. He did not return after the rain delay, but Pittsburgh went on to win 8-4 in 10 innings.
In the 10th inning, security guards were forced to remove a group of fans who were heckling Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham.
“I didn’t see it,” Kelly said. “I guess fans were saying something to him, and he didn’t take kindly to it. Security did a great job of de-escalating that situation pretty quick.”
Detroit currently has the best record in baseball at 48-28, while the Pirates hold the third-worst record at 30-46.