Nationals, Marlins Brawl After Nyjer Morgan Charges Mound

First, some background:

• About a week ago, Nyjer Morgan was suspended for throwing a ball at a fan


• Nyjer Morgan appealed his suspension, and over the weekend, he went out of his way to barrel over Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson at the plate


• Tuesday night, Morgan barreled over Marlins catcher Brett Hayes on a play at the plate instead of sliding


• Later in the game Tuesday night, Morgan got involved in a heated conversation with a fan

Clearly, Morgan was making himself something of a target. Chris Volstad and the Marlins got some retaliation early Wednesday night, when, in the fourth inning - with the score 14-3 Florida - Volstad beaned Morgan on the hip.

Morgan, though, stole second base, and then stole third base, an unusually brash advance for a player on a team down 11. So the next time he came up, in the top of the sixth and with the score 15-5, Volstad threw a pitch behind him.

Morgan looked up calmly at first, but then threw his bat away and charged the mound, throwing a few punches at Volstad before Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez came over and clotheslined the Nationals outfielder down. The benches cleared, and while no further punches were thrown, Morgan exited by shouting profanities at the crowd. He was ejected, along with Volstad, Edwin Rodriguez, and Jose Veras.

Nationals pitcher Doug Slaten was ejected for hitting Gaby Sanchez with a pitch in the seventh, but Sanchez walked to first and Slaten left the field without incident.

Be sure to check out Fish Stripes and Federal Baseball for more coverage. Nyjer Morgan is certainly facing a world of discipline.