Only in this feckless Cubs season could they have a benches clearing incident that amounted to little more than a war of words between their bench coach and the Nationals’ third base coach (seriously, that happened – the two started arguing, and the benches and bullpens cleared), where their coach was ejected and the other team’s wasn’t.
Of course, that was before the real brawl broke out after Lendy Castillo threw at Bryce Harper for some reason. The details of it will be fully explored tomorrow (it didn’t appear like there were any *serious* fights, but lots of shoving and maybe some swings), but the short of it for tonight is: when you’re getting pounded by the other team, and a fight breaks out, it looks like your fault. And you look petty. That’s not “showing fight” or “showing heart.” It’s OK to be frustrated that you’re losing so badly, but that’s not the way to handle it. Take your lumps, and hit the batting cages extra early the next day.
Did I mention the Cubs got stomped in the process yet again, completing a four-game sweep for the Nationals? I tend not to get too down about the Cubs this time of year, but it was hard not to tonight.