Tempers flared and benches cleared after Tarik Skubal struck out Zach Neto in the third inning of a game between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
As Neto, who hit a leadoff home run off Skubal earlier in the game, headed back to the dugout, he stared out at the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner and began jawing. Skubal quickly shot back.
The game was briefly delayed as umpires worked to settle things down.
Angels manager Ron Washington said after the game, a 9-1 Tigers victory, that it was Skubal who actually ignited the situation, but ultimately downplayed the entire thing.
“I can only guess, because I never checked into it,” Washington said, via MLB.com. “He got him the first time, he struck him out the second time, and he probably said something to Neto, because after Neto struck out, he was walking away. So two competitors.”
Both Skubal and Neto joined Washington, dismissing the entire exchange as little more than fierce competition.
“It’s competition,” Skubal said. “It’s nothing personal at the end of the day. I think he’s a really good baseball player. He’s proved that throughout his career. But it’s just competition, and I think it brings out the best in everybody. I think he understands that it wasn’t personal, at least I would hope so. I’m not that type of guy either. What happened, happened. Obviously, I probably should be a little bit smarter.”
“The first inning, got a good swing off of him, the next time I faced him, he got a good pitch that I swung and missed on,” Neto added. “It’s just a very competitive sport. Two guys, high energy, big-time situation. That’s what the game is all about.”
Skubal and Neto faced off a final time in the sixth inning — a routine ground out — but went their separate ways without saying another word.
