The Los Angeles Angels secured a triumph over the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. However, the event was overshadowed by a pregame incident, which led to three ejections before the game commenced.
The third-base umpire ejected Angels reliever Brent Suter and Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodríguez before the late-afternoon game at Tropicana Field started. These ejections occurred following what seemed to be a “standoff” regarding the national anthem.
Following the end of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Suter remained standing by the third-base dugout. Across the field, Wilson and Rodríguez stood near the first-base dugout with the Rays mascots.
This situation arose with Drew Rasmussen ready to pitch and Angels’ leadoff hitter Zach Neto positioned in the batter’s box for the game’s first pitch.
The umpire signaled that the three players involved in the pregame incident were ejected. Despite this, the game proceeded as planned.
Suter had taken the mound in Friday’s series opener against the Rays. Prior to Saturday’s game, it was uncertain if he would pitch on consecutive days. Meanwhile, Rodríguez and Wilson have not yet made their season appearances. Rodríguez is undergoing recovery from elbow surgery, while Wilson suffers from lumbar disc inflammation.
The Angels sealed a decisive 14-3 victory. They will face off against the Rays once more on Sunday in the series finale, with the series tied at one game each.
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