MLB game descends into utter carnage after batter sparks mass brawl

A Major League Baseball (MLB) game descended into chaos after a furious mid-match mass brawl featuring both sets of players and coaching staff.

Anaheim Angels were taking on Atlanta Braves when the brawl broke out midway through the fifth inning.

Braves pitcher Lopez threw the ball up and at the backstop, who initially fumbled it and threw towards second base.

Soler had previously hit a home run with his first at-bat and was then hit by a pitch with his second at-bat.

Lopez walked back up towards the mound but then threw his arms up in the direction of Soler, who had begun to walk towards him.

After an animated exchange, Soler then charged towards his opponent and, after dropping his bat, began throwing a series of punches.

As he continued to rain down attempted blows, Soler was then tackled to the ground by a member of the coaching staff.

Slow-motion replays showed that Lopez, who had never let go of the ball during the exchange, struck Soler hard on the side of the head during the brawl.

The fight was eventually calmed down, and both players were briefly led from the field of play by an army of team-mates and coaches.

Braves manager Walt Weiss, who tackled Soler to the ground, told reporters afterwards: "I love Soler, you know, we were team-mates here.

"But that's a big man. I thought, I've got to get him off his feet because he's going to hurt somebody.

"So that was my instinct, just to get in there and get Jorge off his feet. Yeah, he was on the warpath.

"I know it didn't look good because of Soler's numbers, he hit a homer and he hit him. It didn't look good.

"I hope he's not throwing at him. I don't allow our pitchers to throw at people just because they can't get them out. Our job is to get them out.

"But I understand why Soler got angry. And he's a really mild-mannered now, so I think the switch flipped for him.

"There was no intent, I just think the low ball's just overthrowing because he's had a hard time getting him out. But he's certainly not trying to hit him.

"It gets your juices flowing a bit on both teams, I'm sure. As long as nobody gets hurt, it's kind of a good time, you know? As long as nobody gets hurt."