Provoking a scrum and playing third base: Rafael Devers had a busy evening

If you didn’t watch the game between the Giants and Rockies last night, it’s hard to blame you. After all, with so many races across the Majors, a duel between two teams that won’t be in the playoffs isn’t exactly the stuff of dreams.

And yet, there was plenty of action to go around… all courtesy of Rafael Devers.

It didn’t take long for things to get going: Devers was the second batter to come to the plate in the game. And he catapulted a Kyle Freeland offering into the stands for his 30th home run of the season.

But what really stands out is that, on the field, Freeland and Devers started shouting insults at each other… and that set off a firestorm.

Both benches emptied and we were treated to a good old-fashioned free-for-all.

BENCHES CLEAR after Rafael Devers hits a homer

(via @NBCSGiants)
pic.twitter.com/ZsErOhDjmB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 3, 2025

What we understand is that, in Freeland’s eyes, Devers looked at his circuit a little too long (possibly because he wanted to make sure it wasn’t a foul ball). So Freeland started shouting at him… and Devers didn’t like it.

It was Freeland that wanted to stir up trouble.

Here’s a better angle of Rafael Devers watching the home run. Doesn’t appear like he ever looks out at Kyle Freeland until the pitcher starts yelling at him. pic.twitter.com/7wL6j8H8Gc

— Matt Lively (@mattblively) September 3, 2025

So Devers went around the bases several minutes after his home run… and more importantly, after seeing three guys thrown out: Freeland, Willy Adames and… Matt Chapman.

The former Red Sox was not ejected, however… and that’s an important detail for the future.

Because with Chapman gone, the Giants needed a third baseman. So, for the first time all season, Devers (who started the game at first base) played third base. He took Matt Chapman’s glove, by the way.

Big night for Devers.

With Matt Chapman ejected, Rafael Devers is playing third base for the first time this season pic.twitter.com/6wBtsSwPnz

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 3, 2025

And in the end, the Giants came away with a 7-4 victory over the Rockies, who suffered their 100th loss of the season.

But what will be remembered is Devers’ big night… on several levels.

• Roman Anthony is injured. The same goes for Kyle Tucker in Chicago.

Roman Anthony: “I’m hoping for the best and staying positive, but any time I’m not out there, I’m pretty pissed off. It sucks.”

A great Red Sox comeback win is overshadowed by a concerning injury for Boston's rookie star:https://t.co/kTuC5Zbl7J

— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) September 3, 2025

• He’s been rolling since his recall.

Mets rookie Nolan McLean is 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA and 28 strikeouts in his first four career starts.
The only other pitcher to go 4-0 with a sub-1.50 and at least 25 strikeouts in his first four career starts?
Los Angeles Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, per @OptaSTATS

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 3, 2025

• Trey Yesavage did well in three innings of relief. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays won in Cincinnati.

The #BlueJays used Trey Yesavage in a 3-inning relief role tonight with AAA Buffalo and he looked great.

3 IP • 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K
• 54 pitches (35 strikes)

His velocity isn't peaking where it did earlier in the season, but he's still such an uncomfortable at-bat. pic.twitter.com/Z6yGfWbiLA

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 2, 2025

• And 51.

Cal Raleigh goes deep with his MLB-leading 51st home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/oyt5Mg3ngg

– Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 3, 2025

• Skin problems for Mike Trout.

This content was created with the help of AI.