Emotions spill over as Angels beat Red Sox, 5-4
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Associated Press
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ANAHEIM, Calif. — At the beginning of this three-game series, the Boston Red Sox lined up on opposite foul lines with the Los Angeles Angels in solidarity as the grieving home team observed a moment of silence in honor of rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart.
The mood in yesterday finale was in sharp contrast. The teams who met in three of the last five AL Division Series put the good will aside after an angry reaction from Bobby Abreu to a pitch by Boston ace Josh Beckett that sailed over his head triggered a bench-clearing incident.
Abreu later hit a go-ahead two-run single against Beckett, and Vladimir Guerrero hit his first home run of the season to help Dustin Moseley and the Angels beat the Red Sox, 5-4.
"I've never hit anybody in the head, and it's not really on my list of stuff to accomplish. But people can think what they want to think," Beckett said. "I know Bobby Abreu. He knows I'm not trying to hit him in the head."
The Angels won Friday's series opener, their first game after the 22-year-old Adenhart was killed early Thursday along with two friends when the car they were in was broadsided by a van driven by a suspected drunken driver.
In the first inning yesterday, Beckett was in the stretch position for what seemed like an eternity while getting the sign he wanted from catcher Jason Varitek. He came toward the plate with a fastball just as plate umpire Paul Schreiber jumped out to call time.
"He took too long delivering the ball, so Abreu called time — which is normal," second base umpire and crew chief Joe West said. "Did he throw it up and in? Yeah. Do we believe he threw it at Abreu? No. Would we have warned him had both benches not emptied? Probably not. But because both benches emptied, we did issue a warning."
Abreu said something to Beckett and was held back by Schreiber, then both dugouts and bullpens emptied — but no punches were thrown.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia ordered his players and coaches back to the dugout, but remained on the field discussing the situation with West before Beckett walked toward Scioscia and engaged in some heated words.
The benches and bullpens spilled onto the diamond again while Scioscia jawed with Beckett. This time, there was some pushing and shoving. Angels center fielder Torii Hunter, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher and reliever Justin Speier were ejected.
Moseley (1-0) was charged with three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Beckett (1-1) allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings.