The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox found themselves in a brief altercation Wednesday after rookie Sam Antonacci tried breaking up a double play in the seventh inning. Antonacci singled home the White Sox's first run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, setting up a potential rally for the hosts with just one out. Miguel Vargas followed Antonacci to the plate and hit a grounder to short, which the Pirates turned for a double play.
Antonacci popped up after his slide at second, presumably to try to break up the double play, which second baseman Brandon Lowe took exception to. As the teams headed back to their dugouts, Lowe and Antonacci exchanged words, leading to benches clearing after third baseman Jared Triolo began approaching Antonacci. The umpiring crew issued warnings to both dugouts in the wake of the altercation.
After the incident, White Sox reliever Trevor Richards plunked Pirates pinch hitter Billy Cook, prompting Pirates deadline acquisition Luke Weaver to hit White Sox rookie Tristan Peters the following half inning, though no further conflict ensued. The Pirates ultimately held onto their lead, claiming their second win of the series and setting their up a sweep for Thursday's match. This isn't the first drama centered around Antonacci this season, as his fierce attitude on the field has led to a few incidents this season.
Prior to Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Antonacci stirred up some drama against the Boston Red Sox in August. In the first play of the game against the Red Sox last month, Antonacci rolled over a pitch down the first base line. Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras fielded the ball and stepped on the bag to get Antonacci out.
On his way to first, though, Antonacci stuck out his elbow, hitting Contreras as he went to run through the bag. Later in the game, Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray plunked Antonacci with a 92.6 mph sinker. Antonacci's history of on-field altercations with the opposing team is worrying given his small sample size in the major leagues, but with the White Sox in a heated postseason race his edge could bring a huge boost to the White Sox down the stretch.
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