Miami, FL (Best E Casino) - Washington center fielder Nyjer Morgan charged the mound and punched Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad in the sixth inning, inciting a benches-clearing brawl during Florida's 16-10 win Wednesday night.

Florida was ahead 15-5 with one out in the top of the frame when Volstad threw a pitch behind Morgan, who was hit on the right side by an offering in the fourth frame. The Marlins were ahead 14-3 in the fourth, but Morgan stole second and third base during the inning.

In the sixth, though, Morgan became upset and immediately threw down his bat and charged the mound. Volstad tossed down his glove and Morgan connected with a left to the pitcher's neck.

Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez then raced in and delivered a clothes-line hit to Morgan, who immediately tumbled to the ground. Players for both teams scuffled near the mound and then Pat Listach, the third base coach for the Nationals, joined the fray by piling on Volstad and possibly throwing a punch.

"Obviously, he's not coming out there to talk," Volstad said. "I had to defend myself and not to get hurt."

Morgan was ejected by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson. Upon leaving the field with the front of his jersey unbuttoned, Morgan motioned to the crowd and banged his chest with his fist.

Volstad was also ejected as were Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez and relief pitcher Jose Veras.

Morgan was also involved in a home plate collision Tuesday night that left Marlins catcher Brett Hayes with a separated shoulder.

"It's a hard play yesterday," Morgan said. "I understand that you have to get them back a little bit, go out there and explain the game. I guess they took it the wrong way. They hit me the first time, so be it. But he (Volstad) hit two other of our guys, all right, cool. But then he whips another one behind me and we've got to go. I'm just sticking up for myself, defending my teammates."

This is the second recent major incident for Morgan, who was dealt a seven- game suspension on August 25. Morgan appealed the penalty, which came about for intentionally throwing a baseball into the stands at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park during the middle of the ninth inning of an August 21 contest. The throw hit a fan in the crowd.