As Winker approached the Angels dugout, the benches cleared as the fight raged for about four minutes and the game was delayed about 18 minutes.
Angels interim manager Phil Nevin received the longest suspension at 10 games after Wantz released Winker, an incident that came after previous warnings.
The drama began Saturday, when Mariners pitcher Erik Swanson almost hit Los Angeles star center fielder Mike Trout in the head with a pitch in the ninth inning.
“If you’re going to hit me, hit me in the ribs,” Trout said after his team’s 5-3 loss on Saturday. “Don’t hit me on the head. I don’t know if that’s the intention, but… anything in the head, you don’t do that.”
In the first inning on Sunday, Wantz threw inside over Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. Wantz, typically a reliever, made his first career start Sunday in place of scheduled starter Jose Suarez.
Speaking to reporters before his team hosts the Chicago White Sox on Monday, Nevin denied using Wantz as a starter just to pitch to the Mariners.
“That’s not a fact”, Nevin said. “But I don’t want to get into a war of words with that. What done is done. Yesterday it’s over. We’re focused on the White Sox today.”
Winker, who was struck in the right hip by a 91 mph fastball, received a seven-game suspension after approaching the Angels’ dugout despite attempts by two umpires to restrain him. Some Angels players encountered Winker on top of his dugout as Mariners players came off his bench.
Seattle shortstop JP Crawford received a five-game suspension and Rodriguez was suspended for two games. The three Mariners players will appeal.
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon and assistant pitching coach Dom Chiti each got five games for their actions.
Rendon, a former Washington Nationals star known for his calm demeanor, met Winker on top of the dugout and put his left hand in his face. Rendon suffered a season-ending right wrist injury earlier this month and wore a cast on that wrist during the fight. He must serve his suspension after he returns from the disabled list, but he will be banned from sitting on the Angels’ bench for the next seven games.
Wantz, who denied intentionally hitting Winker, and Angels pitcher Ryan Tepera received three-game suspensions. Los Angeles pitcher Raisel Iglesias, bench coach Ray Montgomery and interpreter Manny Del Campo received two-game suspensions; Tepera and Iglesias were the only Angels to appeal.
After learning he was one of eight players or coaches ejected Sunday, Iglesias tossed a carton of sunflower seeds onto the field. After returning to the bench, he too threw a can of gum.
Angels wide receivers coach Bill Haselman also received a one-game suspension.
After the fight, Winker flashed middle fingers to the stands as he walked to the Seattle dugout. The Angels won, 2-1, scoring both of their runs in the seventh inning.
In support of Winker, a Mariners fan ordered a pepperoni pizza that was given to left fielder at the visitors’ clubhouse on Sunday.
“The only thing I’m going to apologize for is upsetting the fans,” Winker said after Sunday’s game. “That’s it. As fans, they’re spending their hard-earned money to come see us play a game, and they didn’t deserve it. So I apologize to the fans, especially the women and children.”
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