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Pirates prospects, Tigers minor leaguer arrested after bar fight

Rob Foldy / USA TODAY Sports

Two Pittsburgh Pirates prospects and a Detroit Tigers minor-leaguer were arrested after an alleged bar fight following a Triple-A game in Toledo, Ohio early Sunday morning, according to Danny Wild of MiLB.com.

Infielder Gift Ngoepe and pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas, both members of the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate Indianapolis Indians, were arrested early Sunday morning after an alleged late-night incident at a bar near Toledo's Fifth Third Field, where the Indians had played the Toledo Mud Hens earlier that evening.

Toledo right-hander Warwick Saupold, who's pitched for the Tigers this year, was also arrested, as was a fourth person who's unaffiliated with either team.

The police report indicates Saupold punched the other man in the face outside the bar. While he was being arrested, Ngoepe allegedly wrapped his arms around a policeman, then got away from officers trying to arrest him. Neverauskas then yelled "What are you going to do, shoot me?" at an officer who had ordered him to stand on the sidewalk, then tried to grab the officer who was arresting Ngoepe, according to police.

Ngoepe was charged with two counts of resisting arrest as well as a simple assault charge. Neverauskas also faces two counts of resisting arrest and a misconduct charge. Both players must appear in Toledo court Sept. 13.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington announced Tuesday afternoon that both players will be suspended for the remainder of the minor-league season:

We are aware of the incident that took place over the weekend in Toledo, and are extremely disappointed in the actions of Gift and Dovydas. We have made the decision to suspend both players for seven days, taking them through the remainder of their seasons.

Saupold faces one charge of assault, and was released on $100 bond. Tigers vice president of player development Dave Littlefield told Jason Beck of MLB.com that the team "is aware of Saupold's arrest, and will let the legal system take its course."

The fourth person involved was also charged with assault.

Neverauskas, the Pirates' No. 25 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, posted a 3.60 ERA in his first season at Triple-A. Ngoepe, a native of South Africa, had a .644 OPS in 102 games at Indianapolis.

Saupold made his major-league debut with the Tigers this year, and posted a 7.45 ERA across six appearances.

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