Mariners star Victor Robles launches his bat at pitcher and tries to start a brawl in barely-believable meltdown
Suiting up for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, Robles stepped into the batters' box to face Las Vegas Aviators pitcher Joey Estes on Sunday night.
Robles was already familiar with Estes, as they've run into each other in the big leagues, as the Aviators are the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, one of the Mariners' division rivals.
A fastball from Estes came in high and tight on Robles, who swung and made contact with the ball, ruling the pitch a strike. Yet, the near-bean was enough to enrage the outfielder, who took a few steps before launching his bat at Estes.
Robles was immediately ejected from the game for tossing his bat, with the big-leaguer then talking trash at Estes before attempting to rush the mound and start a brawl.
The chaos settled down as the home-plate umpire and his Triple-A teammates got in between Robles and Estes, who was not injured from his rival's actions.
After being led to the dugout, Robles then tossed a case of sunflower seeds onto the field before heading to the locker room for good.
Robles posted an apology to his social media late Sunday night, but the damage was already done.
'I want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for my recent reaction on the field,' Robles posted to his Instagram story. 'I let my frustration get the best of me and I understand how that may have affected not just the game, but the energy and respect we all work so hard to maintain.'
'Coming off a long rehab and being away from the game for most of the season has been physically and mentally challenging. Adding to that, the recent passing of my mother has been incredibly hard, and I've been doing my best to hold it together. That's not an excuse, but some context I feel you deserve to understand where I'm coming from.'
'Getting hit 5 times in 15 at-bats added to that pressure, and I reacted in a way I'm not proud of. This game means the world to me, and so do the people who play it. I respect every one of you - my teammates, the opposing players, and everyone in the league.'
'I'm committed to being better, not just as a player, but as a teammate and competitor. I appreciate your understanding, and I'm grateful to be back on the field doing what I love. Thank you.'
Minor League Baseball and the Mariners organization have yet to comment on the incident, while the official X account for the Aviators did chime in.
'Joey stayed cool. Vegas stays winning... #AviatorsUp,' a post stated with the video of the bat toss and near-brawl.
A harsh suspension is likely incoming for Robles, with some fans thinking his season might be over even if he's back to full health.
'Bro might get suspended the rest of the season for this,' one baseball fan said on X.
Robles has been out for most of this season with a dislocated shoulder, and hs been a constant target for getting plunked since starting to make his way back to the majors.
The outfielder was hit by a pitch three times in his first two games for the Rainiers last week, with Estes plunking him during an Aug. 12 game.
Last September, in a game between Seattle and Oakland, Estes hit Robles in a leadoff at-bat.
There's a reason Estes was demoted from the majors, with his control being an issues. He's hit 28 batters in 95 minor league appearances.
Should a ban be incoming, it would take Robles off the Triple-A roster, with any big-league suspension being an in-house one from the Mariners, due to the bat toss not taking place in a Major League Baseball game.
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