brawl

The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers have had a nice little rivalry since the Astros moved over to the American League, and it appears the hate between the two organizations runs through the veins of the minor league system.

On Sunday, players and coaches from the Double-A affiliates of the Astros and Rangers threw punches and more during a second-inning bench-clearing brawl. The fun started when Corpus Cristi Hooks designated hitter Danry Vasquez was plunked by Frisco RoughRiders pitcher Yohander Mendez. There was no hesitation from Vasquez to storm the mound. He took right off after the pitch was made and off we went in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“I don’t condone it, even Vasquez charging the mound. I don’t give a (expletive) what anybody else says,” Hooks manager Rodney Linares said, according to a report from Corpus Christi Caller Times. “It wasn’t like he hit him in the head or anything, he hit him in the leg. Again, I don’t condone it.”

Vasquez, Mendez, and Corpus Christi right fielder Ramon Laureano were all ejected after the brawl.

The pitch that ignited the powder keg came on the first pitch of the second inning. What is unclear is whether or not there was anything else that led to the brawl. The pitch may have been accidental, as there is no reasoning from either side why things would have boiled over so quickly like this.

Considering the heat though, it may have just been one of those moments when you decide you would rather spend the rest of the afternoon cooling off in the clubhouse than playing eight more innings in the Texas sun.

Frisco won the game 7-6, in case you’re interested.

[Deadspin]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.