Steve Gardner USA TODAY Published 11:04 PM EDT Apr 15, 2019 Clayton Kershaw's return to the mound for his first start of the season coincided with the return of former teammate Yasiel Puig to Los Angeles. And the clash of stars was every bit as dramatic as any Hollywood script could have envisioned. Kershaw retired the first batter of the game on a ground ball to shortstop, then allowed a one-out single before Puig strode to the plate in his usual cool and calm manner. The Dodger Stadium crowd gave him a warm ovation, as they had for the first six seasons of his career, before Puig was traded to the Cincinnati Reds this offseason. Puig even tipped his batting helmet before digging in against Kershaw. And then ... BOOM! Puig hammered an 88 mph slider from Kershaw 405 feet over the fence in left-center field for a 2-0 Reds lead, punctuated by a bat flip. Round 1: Puig by KO. After failing to hit a home run in his first 11 games with the Reds, Puig has now … [Read more...] about Yasiel Puig homers off Clayton Kershaw in return to Dodger Stadium
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Yasiel Puig left behind a complicated Dodgers legacy
Puig came from a place that inhibited freedom off the field, but encouraged panache on it, Jansen said. As a native of Curacao, Jansen empathized with Puig’s difficulty transitioning to life in the U.S. In the Caribbean, time is a fluid concept. “Five minutes late? That’s still on time,” Jansen said. “Here, it’s like ‘You are late.’” … [Read more...] about Yasiel Puig left behind a complicated Dodgers legacy
Archer, Puig banned over Pirates-Reds brawl
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Archer and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig were hit with multi-game suspensions on Tuesday for their part in an ugly bench-clearing brawl at the weekend. Major League Baseball said in a statement Archer had been suspended for five games and given an undisclosed fine. Puig was hit with a two-game ban and a fine, starting later Tuesday. Reds manager David Bell was also suspended for one game, which he will serve on Tuesday in Cincinnati's game with the Marlins. The sanctions come after a mass melee broke out during the fourth inning of the Reds' loss to the Pirates on Sunday at PNC Park. Puig and his Reds team-mates raced out of the dugout furiously after Archer sent a 93mph fastball whistling behind Reds first baseman Derek Dietrich. The provocative pitch appeared to be retaliation for Dietrich's conduct after smashing a mammoth home run in the second inning. Dietrich had lingered at home plate for several seconds to watch his blast sail out of … [Read more...] about Archer, Puig banned over Pirates-Reds brawl
Puig tossed as benches clear in Reds, Pirates game
Cincinnati slugger Yasiel Puig was among five players ejected after a mass brawl broke out in the Reds clash with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Cuban star Puig was tossed from the game at PNC Park along with manager David Bell and reliever Amir Garrett. Two Pirates players, pitchers Keone Kela and Felipe Vazquez, were also ejected after the benches cleared in the fourth inning. Puig, who had to be restrained by team-mates, broke free to angrily confront a scrum of Pittsburgh players as tempers flared. The brawl erupted after Pirates pitcher Chris Archer sent a 93mph fastball whistling behind Reds first baseman Derek Dietrich. The provocative pitch appeared to be retaliation for Dietrich's conduct after smashing a mammoth home run in the second inning. Dietrich had lingered at home plate for several seconds to watch his blast sail out of the stadium before setting off to round the bases. Archer's pitch infuriated Reds skipper Bell, who marched onto the field to remonstrate with the … [Read more...] about Puig tossed as benches clear in Reds, Pirates game
Yasiel Puig aims to revive his career with Reds after frustrating year with Dodgers
“I’m supposed to play every day,” Puig said. “All my teammates know, my coaches know, and everybody knows when I play every day, and I have more opportunities, I can do what I do, and what I’m supposed to do. Like I do in the playoffs and the World Series. … [Read more...] about Yasiel Puig aims to revive his career with Reds after frustrating year with Dodgers