ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels faced off in a long fight between full teams on Sunday in the second inning after tensions over two days of indoor camps overflowed.
Seattle’s Jesse Winker was hit by the first pitch of the second inning by Angels first pitcher Andrew Wantz, who had also pitched a shot behind Mariners No. 2 batsman Julio Rodriguez in the first inning.
Six players and both coaches were sent off after the fight, which caused a delay of approximately 18 minutes.
The Mariners were sent off: Winker, Rodriguez, shortstop JP Crawford and coach Scott Servais. The Angels sent off Wantz, pitchers Ryan Tepera and Raisel Iglesias and interim coach Phil Nevin.
The first throw appeared to be a response to Erik Swanson’s 95 mph fast ball near Mike Trout’s head Saturday night, infuriating the AL’s three-time MVP.
Winker reacted on the field by shouting and gesturing angrily at the Los Angeles dugout, and the sides charged moments later. The fight lasted about four minutes, with people from both teams appearing to throw multiple punches. Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is down for the season with an injured right wrist, used his left hand to push Winker in the face during the fight.
When Winker finally left the field, he seemed to make an obscene gesture to the mocking Angels fans behind the Seattle dugout.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.