The Mets suffered another hit by pitch in the Wednesday afternoon game in St. Louis. Later, when Mets pitcher Yoan Lopez came up and in to Nolan Arenado, the benches cleared.

Lopez zipped a 94-mph fastball near Arenado’s head, and Arenado began yelling for Lopez to “do it again.” The benches and bullpens cleared, and the teams pushed and shoved near home plate.

Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp tackled Mets star Pete Alonso near the center of the melee. Cardinals veteran Adam Wainwright later walked over to Alonso to ask if he was all right.

Clapp was ejected along with Arenado, but Lopez remained in the game.

Lopez was high-fived by several teammates when he returned to the dugout after the inning.

ESPN.com

The Cardinals hit Alonso in the helmet on Tuesday, so he didn’t need a case of the Clapp.

MLB did respond to Chris Bassitt’s criticism from yesterday:

“Through April 26, leaguewide statistics show hit-by-pitch rates and wild pitch rates are down relative to previous seasons. However, one club has been hit more than twice as often as the league average so far in 2022, which is something we will continue to monitor.”

I’m wondering if other teams simply don’t like the Mets.