WASHINGTON -- As the Rockies await word of possible suspensions for a benches-clearing fracas Wednesday afternoon against the Padres, Colorado manager Bud Black said such incidents can serve as galvanizing moments for teams -- but players shouldn't need brawls for an extra spark.
"What you try to do as a team is to have that emotion all the time, even though it might not be outwardly shown," Black said. "From my perspective, and the coaches' and players', we try to keep that level [of] competitiveness at a pretty high pitch as we move through our day, everyday."
The altercation was sparked by Padres right-hander Luis Perdomo hurling a fastball behind third baseman Nolan Arenado's head. Arenado promptly charged the mound, chucking his helmet to the ground and dodging Perdomo's airborne glove, and unloaded some punches. The benches cleared and relievers ran in from the bullpen, some to help curb the altercation and others to participate in it.
Perdomo and Arenado were both ejected. So was Padres catcher A.J. Ellis and the Rockies' German Marquez and Gerardo Parra. Major League Baseball has yet to hand down suspensions, a process that Black acknowledged could take some time.
"There's some deliberation from the Commissioner's Office. They review tape, they ask questions, they talk to a lot of different parties involved, and they come to a conclusion," Black said. 
Worth noting
Black said Charlie Blackmon's status is improving, but the center fielder remained out of the lineup Thursday for the Rockies' series opener against the Nationals. Blackmon didn't play in the final two games of the San Diego series due to right quad tightness.