Wayward pitch leads to all-in brawl between Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants

The Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants have been involved in a bench-clearing brawl during their MLB match at AT&T Park in California.

With the Nats leading 2-0 in the top of the eighth, Giants reliever Hunter Strickland pinged batter Bryce Harper in the hip with a 98 mile-per-hour pitch.

That was the cue for Harper to gesture at Strickland with his bat, before throwing his helmet aside as the two began trading punches.

“Strickland drilled him with the first pitch, and Harper took it personally and I don’t blame him,” noted one commentator.

The two have history, with Harper hitting Strickland for two home runs during the 2014 playoffs. This was the first time they’ve met since then.

Both players were ejected from the game, but getting the 6-foot-4, 100kg Strickland off the field proved easier said than done, as the Giants pitcher resisted attempts from his teammates to drag him to the dugout.

“They’re trying to carry Hunter Strickland off the field and he’s not going away, he is a big strong dude,” the commentator added.

Washington went on to win 3-0.