Joe Blanton allowed four runs in four-plus innings of work this afternoon, ending his first half with a 5.53 ERA, the second-worst mark in the American League behind Wade Davis at 5.89. After Blanton was taken out after allowing the first three batters he faced in the fifth inning to reach base on a single, a walk, and a double, Blanton threw a temper tantrum in the dugout and got into a heated argument with pitching coach Mike Butcher. Teammates had to separate the two and the situation ultimately resolved without any further aggression.
Mike DiGiovanna tweeted about the incident:
Blanton-Butcher fracas stemmed from “miscommunication” between Blanton and C Chris Iannetta, but Iannetta wouldn’t elaborate. #Angels
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) July 14, 2013
#Angels P Joe Blanton: “Any time things are not going good it can bring things to a little volcano.”
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) July 14, 2013
#Angels P coach Mike Butcher said he was playing peacemaker between Blanton and Iannetta. Didn’t provoke Blanton.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) July 14, 2013
You can also watch a clip of the incident on Instagram. (Tip of the cap to Jeff Fletcher.)
The Angels wrapped up their first half with a sweep at the hands of the Mariners, losing 4-3 today. They sit at 44-49, 11 games behind the first-place Athletics in the AL West.
