CINCINNATI (AP) — Rookie right-hander Graham Ashcraft earned his first victory with six strong innings and the Reds beat San Francisco 5-1 following a political protest by Giants manager Gabe Kapler and a scuffle between Tommy Pham and Joc Pederson.
UPDATE 5/28/22 4:16 p.m.: This article has been updated to show Pham has been suspended.
Kapler refused to take the field for the national anthem, a demonstration of his frustration with the country’s political direction following this week’s school shooting in Texas.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ Pham and Giants’ Pederson had a brief altercation on the field pregame.
Pederson said Pham slapped him over a dispute about their fantasy football league. While the Giants warmed up in the outfield, Pham confronted Pederson and smacked him in the face before the pair was separated.
Pham was been suspended by Major League Baseball for three games and fined.
The suspension was made retroactive to Friday night, and he will serve the final two games this weekend.