VIDEO: Padres' Upton throws helmet, accidentally hits teammate in head
An incident in the San Diego Padres dugout from Saturday best encapsulates the disappointment this season has been for the team.
Outfielder Justin Upton, upon returning to the bench in the eighth inning, was frustrated after being caught in a rundown between second and third base with his team trailing by a run. Upton responded by throwing his helmet, and it hit teammate Yonder Alonso in the head, forcing Alonso to leave the game.
Justin Upton of the Padres throws his batting helmet in disgust; drills teammate Yonder Alonso in the head: https://t.co/4Z4D678Xki
— RN's Funhouse (@RNs_Funhouse) August 16, 2015
Alonso, who appeared frustrated following the incident, was removed for precautionary reasons. He passed his postgame check-up and will be reevaluated Sunday.
"I don’t think you guys need to know what was said," Alonso told reporters after the game. "We talked about it, and it’s all good."
Upton expressed remorse after the game.
"We're out there competing and that's a big point in the game and I made a big mistake," he said. "I was pretty upset about it. It’s childish. I’ve got to do better than that."
The Padres would go on to win 7-5 over the Colorado Rockies but remain in fourth in the Nation League West, six games under .500.