Tempers Flare Between Jose Fernandez And Braves Players

There is certainly no denying that Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez has one of the brightest futures of any player in Major League Baseball.

The 21-year old right-hander is a top candidate for National League Rookie of the Year honors this season, after going 12-6, with a 2.19 ERA., second-lowest in the league.

But the Santa Clara, Cuba native has drawn the ire of opposing players at times, due to his demonstrative nature, which was on full display on Wednesday night, in a start against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida.

Pitching a shutout, Fernandez became agitated in the sixth inning, when the he gave up a home run to the Braves' Evan Gattis, cutting the Miami lead to 4-1. Fernandez reacted with a grin, which the Braves took exception to.

At the end of the half-inning, Fernandez stared at the Atlanta bench as he walked back to his dugout, where he was seen waving his arms in frustration.

Things only got worse in the bottom of the sixth, when Fernandez blasted his first career homer, a solo shot off of Braves' starter Mike Minor, extending the Marlins lead to 5-1.

Fernandez flipped his bat after contact, then proceeded to admire his home run blast, before slowly beginning his home run trot, and then exchanging words with Atlanta third baseman Chris Johnson on his way around the bases.

Finally, after crossing home plate, Fernandez traded words with Braves' catcher Brian McCann, before Johnson came running in from third base, and other players joined the dispute.

Despite the incident, no punches were thrown, and no players were ejected.

Fernandez, who will not pitch again this year, due to the fact that he reached his 170 inning pitch limit for the season, apologized to the Braves for his actions after the game.

The Marlins hung on to win, 5-2.