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A fight to clean up the benches between the Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon resulted in a long list of suspensions Monday night.
MLB suspended 12 players, coaches and coaches for a total of 47 games. The biggest melee of the season began early in the second inning in Anaheim, California, after Angels pitcher Andrew Wantz hit with a throw to Mariners left fielder Jesse Winker.
As Winker approached the Angels dugout, the benches cleared as the fight erupted for about four minutes and the game was delayed by about 18 minutes.
Angels interim coach Phil Nevin received the longest suspension in 10 games after Wantz threw Winker, an incident that occurred after previous warnings.
The drama began Saturday, when Mariners pitcher Erik Swanson nearly hit Los Angeles star center fielder Mike Trout in the head with a shot in the ninth inning.
“If you’re going to hit me, hit me in the ribs,” Trout said after his team’s 5-3 defeat on Saturday. “Don’t hit me in the head. I don’t know if that’s the intention, but … anything in the head, you don’t. “
On Sunday in the first inning, Wantz threw inward over Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. Wantz, usually a reliever, began his first career on Sunday in place of scheduled starter Jose Suarez.
Speaking to reporters before his team hosted the Chicago White Sox on Monday, Nevin denied using Wantz as a starter just to throw the Mariners.
“That’s not a fact,” Nevin said. “But I don’t want to get into a war of words with that. What is done is done. Yesterday is over. Today we are focused on the White Sox.”
Winker, who was hit in the right hip with a fast ball of 91 mph, received a seven-game penalty after approaching the Angels dugout despite attempts to restrict him by two referees. Some Angels players found Winker at the top of his dugout as the Mariners players stepped off their bench.
Seattle outfielder JP Crawford received a five-game penalty, and Rodriguez was penalized for two games. The three Mariners players will tour.
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon and assistant pitching coach Dom Chiti got five games each for their actions.
Rendon, a former Washington Nationals star known for his quiet demeanor, ran into Winker at the top of the dugout and shoved his left hand into his face. Rendon suffered a right wrist injury that ended the season earlier this month and he wore a cast on his wrist during the fight. He must serve his sentence after returning from the injured list, but will be banned from sitting on the Angels bench for the next seven games.
Wantz, who denied intentionally hitting Winker, and Angels pitcher Ryan Tepera received three-game suspensions. Los Angeles pitcher Raisel Iglesias, bench coach Ray Montgomery and player Manny Del Campo received two-game penalties; Tepera and Iglesias were the only angels who toured.
After learning that he was one of eight players or coaches sent off on Sunday, Iglesias threw a box of sunflower seeds into the field. After returning to the dugout, he also threw a tub of chewing gum.
Angels catch coach Bill Haselman also received a one-game sanction.
After the fight, Winker showed his middle fingers in the stands as he walked toward the Seattle hut. The Angels won, 2-1, scoring their two runs in the seventh inning.
In support of Winker, a Mariners fan ordered a pepperoni pizza that was delivered to the left fielder at the visiting clubhouse on Sunday.
“The only thing I will apologize for is to drop the fans,” Winker said after Sunday’s game. “That’s it. As fans, they’re spending the money they’ve earned to come and see us play a game, and they didn’t deserve that. So I apologize to the fans, especially the women and children.” .