SEATTLE – Major League Baseball is investigating the incident between the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night, in which the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners’ benches were cleared. Houston substitute Hector Neris allegedly shouted a homophobic insult in Spanish at Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, a league source said Thursday.
Neris apologized for his actions in a statement Thursday afternoon, but called allegations that he used an anti-gay slur “simply false.”
“That did not happen and any claim to the contrary is false,” Neris said. “My mother raised me to love and respect people for who they are and that’s how I live my life.”
Rodríguez declined comment Thursday when asked if he had heard Neri use a homophobic insult.
“I will keep the comments (private),” Rodríguez said. “But I feel like you always have to show respect. He is someone I had a lot of respect for. I’ve known him for a long time, since 2020, during the pandemic. I just feel like I deserve a little more respect.”
Neris attacked Rodríguez after the pitcher struck out the star outfielder in the sixth inning of Houston’s 8-3 win to end the game-winning run at first base. Benches and bullpens were cleared, but no hits were thrown. Neris required two separate escorts from the field.
Seattle third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who was on deck during Rodríguez’s strikeout, told multiple media outlets Wednesday night that Neris yelled an insult.
Suárez declined further comment Thursday before the Mariners’ series opener against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Asked Wednesday night what he said to Rodríguez, Neris responded in part: “It’s like he’s hitting me: ‘I got you.’ Today I say, ‘I got you.'”
Rodríguez said he was “honestly so confused” by Neris’ actions. Neris described it as part of a “friendly competition” the two had, but apologized to Rodríguez, his family and the Mariners organization for the impression it gave.
“My intention when I approached Julio was to get his attention as part of the friendly conversation we have had over the years,” Neris’ statement said. “I realize I shouldn’t approach him the way I did last night. I didn’t mean to disrespect him, his family or the Mariners. I understand how my actions could be interpreted that way.”
Neris and Rodríguez appeared to be quite friendly before Wednesday’s commotion. Both are represented by the same agent, have worked together in past offseasons and played for Team Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic in March. Rodríguez is also universally liked throughout the Houston clubhouse.
“I just felt like (Neris) was a little over the top. I understand the part about celebrating and being excited. But coming down like that and kicking me in the face is something I won’t put up with, not just from him, someone I thought was my friend. Not just from him, but from anyone,” Rodríguez said.
“This is something I just won’t put up with. I didn’t appreciate the way he handled it.”
Rodríguez said Neris tried to apologize, but Rodríguez said he “will not” communicate with Neris and “leave what happened, leave it at that.”
“Even though we have friends, sometimes we have to forget that as soon as we step on the field. It’s kind of hard to learn this way. But sooner or later I would learn something like that. I’m glad it happened now. I can somehow move forward,” Rodríguez said.
Wednesday’s bench clearing incident was the third between the Mariners and Astros this season and at least the fifth since 2022. Before Wednesday’s game, Houston manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the “bad blood” that has long existed between both organizations and that spans his entire career. Mariners pitchers struck out Chas McCormick, Yainer Diaz and Jose Altuve during this week’s series, adding to Baker’s anger.
Last June, Neris was ejected from a game against the Mariners at Minute Maid Park in which he threw at Suárez and knocked Ty France to the ground. According to the league, he received a four-game suspension for “intentionally throwing a ball in the head area while cautions were in effect” at the Mariners’ Eugenio Suárez. On appeal, Neris’ ban was reduced to three games.
Rodríguez hit a home run against Neris during the game and cheered ostentatiously while circling the bases, but according to Rodríguez that had no bearing on the incident that cleared the benches on Wednesday.
“I celebrated with myself and my team. I didn’t look at him once. “I never once tried to let him know, ‘I hit a home run against you.’ I just celebrated the situation,” Rodríguez said. “I would have liked to see that from someone I thought was my friend.”
It’s unclear whether the league is considering suspending Neris, but losing him for an extended period of time would hobble the Astros’ emerging bullpen in the midst of their playoff push. Neris has a 1.78 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 69 appearances and has not been scored in 14 of his last 15 appearances.
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(Photo: AP Photo / Lindsey Wasson)