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  "path": "/mlb/2026/06/30/red-sox-willson-contreras-nats-cade-cavalli-spark-benches-clearing-brawl",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-01T01:38:31.879Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "tags": [
    "@TalkinBaseball_"
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  "textContent": "<p>BOSTON — Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was tossed for a second straight game on Tuesday after throwing his helmet toward Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli during a heated exchange that ended with the benches clearing on both sides and multiple ejections.</p><p>Cavalli struck out Contreras looking on a full-count pitch in the top of the fourth. The veteran then yelled, \"Sit down boy,\" at Contreras as Contreras made his way back to the Boston dugout.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" > <div class=\"TweetUrl\"> <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Willson Contreras throws his helmet during a benches clearing incident after Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli told him to “sit down boy” <a href=\"https://t.co/IBEyYXKReN\">pic.twitter.com/IBEyYXKReN</a></p>— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href=\"https://x.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/2072115239064089048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script> </div> </div> </div></div><p>Contreras, who hit a three-run homer off Washington's Miles Mikolas on Monday and celebrated with a massive bat flip that he later apologized for, then approached Cavalli on the mound. The two exchanged words as both dugouts emptied.</p><p>Boston catcher Carlos Narvaez tried to hold Contreras back, but Contreras broke loose long enough to leap and throw his batting helmet in Cavalli's direction.</p><p>Things settled down quickly after that, though the brief dustup ended with Contreras, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy, Boston outfielder Nate Eaton and Mikolas being ejected.</p><p>The early exit was the second in as many nights for Contreras, the first time that's happened to a Red Sox player in the club's 126-year history. The 34-year-old Venezuela native — who acknowledged he is having a difficult time while his native country tries to recover from a pair of devastating earthquakes last week — was ejected in the second inning on Monday for mimicking an appeal call after striking out on a checked swing.<br></p>",
  "title": "Red Sox' Willson Contreras, Nats' Cade Cavalli spark benches-clearing brawl",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-01T01:38:31.879Z"
}