National anthem 'standoff' between Rays and Angels players leads to pregame ejections at Tropicana Field

The Los Angeles Angels took a commanding 14‑3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field, but the game’s opening moments were dominated by an unusual pre‑game episode that saw three players ejected before a single pitch was thrown.

Just after the national anthem finished, Angels reliever Brent Suter remained on the field near the third‑base dugout. Across the diamond, Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodríguez stood with the team’s mascots by the first‑base dugout. The third‑base umpire judged the situation to be a breach of protocol and ordered all three individuals to leave the field. The ejections were announced before the first batter, Angels leadoff hitter Zach Neto, stepped into the box, and before Rays starter Drew Rasmussen was set to take the mound.

Despite the early disruption, the game proceeded on schedule. Suter, who had appeared in the Angels’ series opener the previous day, was unavailable for further work after his ejection. Wilson and Rodríguez, both still awaiting their season debuts, remain sidelined—Rodríguez continuing his recovery from elbow surgery, and Wilson nursing lumbar disc inflammation.

The Angels capitalized on the early advantage, scoring fourteen runs while holding the Rays to three. With the win, the three‑game series is now tied at one apiece, setting up a decisive finale scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the same venue.