On a Saturday afternoon in Tampa Bay , the Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays opened their season with a bizarre pre‑game melee. angels reliever Brent Suter and two Rays pitchers—Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodriguez—were ejected by third‑base umpire Lance Barrett for a standoff over the national anthem, yet the Angels went on to dominate with a 14‑3 win.

Barrett’s Ejection Order: A National Anthem Standoff Turns Pitcher‑Free

According to the Orange County Register, umpire Barrett tossed Suter, Wilson and Rodriguez after the atnhem’s final chord, citing interference with the ball’s movement into the strike zone. The trio lingered on the field, with Suter staying on the mound in uniform and the Rays’ pitchers rubbing shoulders with mascots in the first‑base dugout. Barrett’s frustration was clear: the players were “preventing the beginning of the game” by holding onto the field in the last seconds of the anthem.

Angels’ Offense Explodes After a 4‑0 Lead in the First

Once the ball was finally at hand, the Rays’ balk set the stage for the Angels’ offensive tempo.. The team never looked back after a 4‑0 lead in the first inning, piling an impressive 14‑3 lineup . The Angels stole a 12‑0 run from the fifth inning, while a blazing blast from their starting pitcher kept the Rays’ offense at bay.

Fan Reactions: From Anthems to Antics

Fans on X and in the stadium reacted strongly to the anthem standoff. one voter sketched a scenario: “You’re kicking the ball away with no pitcher yet you cause a menace in the field,” while another assistant prompted, “It keeps the bullpen ERA down.” The Angels’ win, however, did little to calm the anger among fans who found the anthem standoff restless.

Season Implications: A Disappointing 23‑36 Record Persists

With the victory, the Angels moved to a dismal 23‑36 figure for the 2026 season, and the win didn’t help smooth out the anger with fans. The Angels remain in the American League East racing for the lead in a series of events that elevated their brand for the year ahead.