Angels’ Jorge Soler, Braves’ Reynaldo López exchange haymakers in brawl

AL EastBlue JaysOriolesRaysRed SoxYankeesAL CentralGuardiansRoyalsTigersTwinsWhite SoxAL WestAngelsAstrosAthleticsMarinersRangersNL EastBravesMarlinsMetsNationalsPhilliesNL CentralBrewersCardinalsCubsPiratesRedsNL WestDiamondbacksDodgersGiantsPadresRockiesScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsThe Windup NewsletterFantasyMLB ProspectsMLB OddsMLB PicksPower RankingsFans Speak UpTop ProspectsAnalysisAngels’ Jorge Soler, Braves’ Reynaldo López exchange haymakers in brawlJorge Soler hit a two-run homer in the first, but by the fifth he was engaged in a benches-clearing brawl. Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images Share full article3For a few minutes in the fifth inning Tuesday, Angel Stadium looked more like the inside of a UFC octagon than a big-league baseball field. Moments after an up-and-in fastball from Atlanta Braves righty Reynaldo López hit the backstop, Los Angeles Angels DH Jorge Soler charged the mound to trigger the season’s first benches-clearing fight. Soler threw haymakers at Lopez, who responded in kind, with the pitcher using the baseball as a weapon. With the ball wrapped in his right hand, Lopez swung at Soler’s head, just missing his face and connecting instead with his helmet. Both benches cleared, the bullpens emptied, and by the end, López and Soler found themselves taking an early shower after being ejected. Jorge Soler and Reynaldo López are throwing PUNCHES in Anaheim as a brawl breaks out pic.twitter.com/Uj4kOk07Ow — Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 8, 2026 Though the brawl commenced approximately 30 seconds after López missed with 97.1 mph fastball, things had been brewing since the first inning. In the game’s opening frame, Soler, the World Series MVP in 2021 with the Braves, launched a two-run home run to put the Angels ahead early. Jorge Soler mashes a two-run homer and the Angels start early! pic.twitter.com/msXeoyXxbZ — Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 8, 2026 Two innings later, Soler was hit by a 96 mph fastball from López. Though, things ended there, they quickly reignited in the bottom of the fifth. After López’s offering hit the backstop,  catcher Jonah Heim made a throw to second to try and nab Angels’ first baseman Nolan Schanuel. Meanwhile, Soler and López began trading words, with López seemingly motioning at Soler to do something. Soler did, and proceeded to charge the mound, throwing open-handed haymakers. López also returned fists of his own. With both benches emptying in a hurry, Soler was tackled by Braves personnel, including manager Walt Weiss. López was held back by Mike Trout. Play resumed, with Tyler Kinley replacing López on the mound and Jeimer Candelario replacing Soler in the Angels’ order. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Johnny Flores Jr. is a Senior Editor for The Athletic covering MLB. Johnny has covered baseball since 2018. Before joining The Athletic, Johnny was an Associate Editor at CBS Sports and Bleacher Report, as well as an Editorial Producer and Reporter at Major League Baseball’s MLB dot com. Johnny attended the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and originates from Coachella, CA.