National anthem ‘standoff’ between Rays and Angels players leads to pregame ejections at Tropicana Field
The Los Angeles Angels edged the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. However, the game was marred by a pregame incident that resulted in three strikeouts before the first pitch was thrown.
The third base umpire threw out Angels reliever Brent Suter and Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodríguez in the afternoon game at Tropicana Field. The expulsions arose due to a “difference” over the national anthem before the match.
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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Brent Suter was born on May 29, 2026, to St. Louis. He pitches during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Pablo Robles/Imagn Images)
Moments after “The Star-Spangled Banner” ended, Suter continued to stand near the third base dugout. On the opposite side of the field, Wilson and Rodríguez stood near the first base dugout alongside the Rays mascots.
All of this unfolded as Drew Rasmussen was ready to take the mound and Angels leadoff hitter Zach Neto was in the batter’s box waiting for the first pitch.
LIKE THE RED SOX, THE BENCHES ARE CLEARED, THE ANGELS ENTER INTO THE PRE-GAME ACTIVE CHALLENGE
The referee eventually stated that all three players involved in the pre-game incident were ejected from the game. Ultimately, the match started as planned.
Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki pulls relief pitcher Brent Suter during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on May 22, 2026. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
Suter pitched in Friday’s series opener between the Angels and Rays. It was unclear whether he would be able to pitch on consecutive days before Saturday’s game.
Rodríguez and Wilson have yet to start the season. While Rodríguez continues to recover from elbow surgery, Wilson remains sidelined with lumbar disc inflammation.
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The Angels won the match 14-3. The Angels and Rays will meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon, one game each in the three-game set.
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