Angels' Jorge Soler homers in first at-bat after appealing suspension for fight with Braves' Reynaldo López

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López are both facing seven-game suspensions from MLB in the wake of their fight that cleared the benches and bullpens on Tuesday night, and they’re both appealing, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

Less than an hour after the news broke about those impending bans, Soler went yard again in Angel Stadium against the Braves.

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In his first at-bat of the series finale, Soler teed off on an 84 mph slider from Atlanta’s Grant Holmes and sent the ball 402 feet to left-center field. The solo shot made it a 2-1 game in the second inning.

That dinger marked Soler’s third home run of the season and second in less than 24 hours.

The night before, Soler, who notably earned World Series MVP honors while helping the Braves win a title in 2021, smashed a two-run home run against his former team in the first inning. It was his fifth homer off López, who Soler is now a career 14-for-23 hitter against.

Two innings later, López pelted Soler with a 96 mph fastball.

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Then, in the fifth frame, López missed high on a pitch that played some chin music and hit the backstop. After Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel stole second, the brawl began to take form, first with a staredown between López and Soler. Eventually, Soler started to approach the mound. He picked up speed after López winged out his arms.

Soon enough, they were throwing hands. López was even swinging with the baseball still in his right hand.

Amid the melee, Braves manager Walt Weiss tackled Soler to the ground, and Angels star Mike Trout pushed López away.

“Obviously, I have good numbers against him,” Soler said, per MLB.com. “After the home run and getting hit by a pitch after that, and then he missed way too high and close to my head.

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“At this level, you can’t miss like that.”

López didn’t seem to see it that way.

“It’s just a shame, the situation and how things unfolded,” he said through interpreter Franco García, according to The Athletic. “On my part, there was never any intent to hit him at any point.”

Regardless of their differing interpretations of the chaos-inspiring incident in Anaheim, MLB handed out punishments on Wednesday. While appealing his suspension, Soler kept on raking against the Braves.