12 Ejected In Royal Flop

AL president Gene Budig won't have to rely on second-hand reports when he determines penalties for Tuesday night's fight-filled game between the Kansas Royals and Anaheim Angels.

That's because Budig had a ringside seat at Kauffman Stadium, where five beanballs and two bench-clearing brawls led to 12 ejections in Anaheim's 7-5 victory over Kansas City.

"It was a very emotional evening, to say the least," said Royals manager Tony Muser, who was ejected along with Anaheim manager Terry Collins, seven players and three coaches.

The melees came exactly two weeks after another ugly brawl between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles resulted in five suspensions.

Budig had no comment after the game. But Anaheim's Phil Nevin, who was hit twice by Kansas City pitchers, said he was shocked by the ugly incidents.

"I don't have any bad blood with those guys," Nevin said.

Tuesday night's problems started in the top of the seventh, when Nevin was hit in the back by Kansas City pitcher Jim Pittsley. Nevin, who was also hit in his previous at-bat by Chris Haney, charged the mound and tried to tackle Pittsley, but the pitcher wrestled Nevin down and appeared to throw some jabs.

Both benches emptied, but apparently no other players threw punches. Nevin, Pittsley, and Kansas City coaches Rich Dauer and Jamie Quirk also were ejected.

"The second time I know that it was deliberate," Nevin said. "There was no doubt it came from the bench."

Countered Pittsley: "I was just defending myself. I don't think I should have been tossed."

In apparent retaliation, Rich DeLucia hit Kansas City's Dean Palmer with the first pitch in the bottom of the eighth and was immediately ejected along with Collins.

"Richie did what he thought he had to do," Collins said.

"After we hit Palmer, it should have been over," Nevin said. "It's part of the game, but it's unfortunate."

Kansas City pitcher Scott Service and Muser were ejected in the top of the ninth after Service hit Darin Erstad with a pitch.

There were four more ejections in the bottom of the inning following a brawl that started after Royals leadoff hitter Jose Offerman was hit by Mike Holtz.

"I think that some words came out of the Angel dugout that got Offy excited," Muser said. "That is what got it started."

Holtz was ejected along with Anaheim coach Joe Maddon, Angels infielder Frank Bolick and Royals infielder Felix Martinez, who punched Bolick from behind as the teams were gathered near home plate.

"I didn't have a problem with anyone but Martinez," Collins said. "I saw him take a swing at one of my players."

Nevin was even more critical of Martinez, a shortstop who earlier tis season broke Minnesota outfielder Otis Nixon's jaw with a kick while turning a double play.

"He should be kicked out of baseball," Nevin said. "It was a regular baseball fight until he threw that sucker punch."

Several Angels, including pitchers Ken Hill and Jack McDowell chased after Martinez, who was grabbed by Muser and pushed into the dugout. Martinez was ejected from 13 games with Double-A Wichita in 1995.

After the game ended, the four umpires remained on the field to make sure there were no further incidents as the players went to their locker rooms.

"I am proud of our guys," Muser said. "I don't condone fighting but I am proud of our guys."

Jarrod Washburn pitched 6 1-3 strong innings in his major-league debut and Justin Baughman hit his first major-league homer to lead the Angels.

Washburn, a left-hander recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Vancouver, got the victory, allowing only two hits and one unearned run in 6 1-3 innings.

The only hits off Washburn were an RBI double by Jermaine Dye in the second and Shane Halter's double in the seventh.

After the second brawl in the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Conine hit a two-run double and Shane Mack doubled him home, making it 7-5. But Troy Percival, who led the charge of Angels' relievers out of the bullpen for the second fight, got the last two outs for his 16th save.

Baughman had three hits, including a two-run homer in the fifth.

Chris Haney (3-4) gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings.

Tim Salmon had a solo homer and RBI single for the Angels, while Cecil Fielder had a pair of run-scoring singles.

Notes: Washburn's parents, Dawn and Mike, drove in from Webster, Wis., to see his major-league debut. They were joined by 31 other people from Washburn's hometown. ... Angels shortstop Gary DiSarcina doubled in the second for his fifth consecutive hit. He was 4-for-4 in Monday's game. The streak ended with a fielder's choice in the fourth.

More from CBS News