The Los Angeles Angels took on the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in what has been a chippy series so far. It got a lot chippier on Sunday.
In the 9th inning of Saturday night’s game, Mariners relief Erik Swanson nearly hit Angels star outfielder Mike Trout with a fastball near the head, which garnered some strong reactions from the Angels’ slugger during his postgame press conference.
“I get that you are trying to throw up and in, but not at the head,” Trout said. “If you can’t pitch inside, don’t pitch inside. If you’re gonna hit me, hit me in the ribs, don’t hit me in the head. I don’t know if that was the intent, but anything at the head, you don’t do that.”
It only got uglier between the Angels and Mariners on Sunday.
Angels pitcher Andrew Wantz didn’t waste any time in sending the Mariners a message on Sunday, throwing a fastball near Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez’s head during his at-bat in the first inning.
If this intentional 93 MPH pitch hits Julio Rodriguez, does Andrew Wantz get charged with a crime? Cause he should pic.twitter.com/PTagzJE16w
— Razzball (@Razzball) June 26, 2022
This got the Mariners dugout yelling, clearly upset with the Angels and Wantz for this dangerous pitch. Both teams were issued a warning following Rodriguez’s at-bat.
With emotions running high, it was only a matter of time until things boiled over, and that occurred in a big way when Wantz hit Mariners outfield Jesse Winker in the second inning.
Here is what precipitated brawl between #Angels and #Mariners … Halos RHP Andrew Wantz had thrown a pitch near head of Julio Rodriguez's head in first inning. This was after SEA pitch near Mike Trout's head last night. pic.twitter.com/gDrDPqLvdT
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) June 26, 2022
The Mariners dugout called for Wantz to be ejected after throwing at yet another player, and Winker then lost his cool and went at the Angels dugout in what became a wild melee with both benches and bullpens clearing.
Benches clear!!! 👊@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/EUnTTcjW1D
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) June 26, 2022
Winker proceeded to give a parting gift to the Angels fans in attendance, flipping the double bird to those in attendance.
double birds for everyone pic.twitter.com/4lr2HVDY2X
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) June 26, 2022
The brawl went on for over three minutes, which is an extremely long time compared to other recent fights we have seen in the MLB.
This wild brawl drew a ton of reactions from the MLB world, with many understanding the perspective from both sides.
Many agreed that Winker needed to do something after the second time that a player was thrown at in the game.
Buffalo’s and #BillsMafia Jesse Winker at the heart of it. https://t.co/mRcieBY5yA
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) June 26, 2022
MLB: Jesse Winker you’ve been suspended 5 games for giving the fans the bird.
Winker: Coulda been anybody pic.twitter.com/o6eL1JWIbZ
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) June 26, 2022
I don’t know where “Jesse Winker walking towards the entire Angels dugout” ranks in “all-time savage Mariner moves,” but it has be way up on the list.
— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) June 26, 2022
Others believe that the Angels were just standing up for Mike Trout after Saturday’s events.
Anyway the moral of the story is that if you mess with the 🐐 @MikeTrout, our @Angels will respond in kind.
Now just score some runs and beat the M's!#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/H11gD7mWPx
— AngelsWin.com (@AngelsWin) June 26, 2022
I mean, they threw at Mike Trout's head. That couldn't go unanswered.
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) June 26, 2022
Among the players that were ejected following this crazy event were Jesse Winker, Julio Rodriguez, J.P Crawford, and manager Scott Servais from the Mariners, and Andrew Wantz, Ryan Tepera, Raisel Iglesias, and interim manager Phil Nevin for the Angels.
It was a wild start to the day for both teams, and it will almost certainly result in suspensions coming on both sides.
