Joe Blanton and pitching coach Mike Butcher had a heated exchange - MLB

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.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Reliever Pete Fairbanks and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided arbitration when they agreed Friday to a three-year, $12 million contract that could be worth up to $24.6 million over four seasons.

The deal includes salaries of $3,666,666 this year and $3,666,667 in each of the next two seasons. The Rays have a $7 million option for 2026 with a $1 million buyout.

His 2024 and 2025 salaries could increase by $300,000 each based on games finished in the previous season: $150,000 each for 35 and 40.

Tampa Bay’s option price could increase by up to $6 million, including $4 million for appearances: $1 million each for 60 and 70 in 2025; $500,000 for 125 from 2023-25 and $1 million each for 135, 150 and 165 from 2023-25. The option price could increase by $2 million for games finished in 2025: $500,000 each for 25, 30, 35 and 40.

Fairbanks also has a $500,000 award bonus for winning the Hoffman/Rivera reliever of the year award and $200,000 for finishing second or third.

The 29-year-old right-hander is 11-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 15 saves in 111 appearances, with all but two of the outings coming out of the bullpen since being acquired by the Rays from the Texas Rangers in July 2019.

Fairbanks was 0-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 24 appearances last year after beginning the season on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain.

Fairbanks made his 2022 debut on July 17 and tied for the team lead with eight saves despite being sidelined more than three months. In addition, he is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 12 career postseason appearances, all with Tampa Bay.

He had asked for a raise from $714,400 to $1.9 million when proposed arbitration salaries were exchanged Jan. 13, and the Rays had offered for $1.5 million.

Fairbanks’ agreement was announced two days after left-hander Jeffrey Springs agreed to a $31 million, four-year contract with Tampa Bay that could be worth $65.75 million over five seasons.

Tampa Bay remains scheduled for hearings with right-handers Jason Adam and Ryan Thompson, left-hander Colin Poche, third baseman Yandy Diaz and outfielder Harold Ramirez.