Astros win in extras after Hunter Brown-Zach Neto confrontation clears benches
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After Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown hit Los Angeles Angels’ shortstop Zach Neto with a pitch, tempers flared in the third inning of the Astros’ 3-2 extra-innings win Friday night at Angel Stadium.
The Astros were up 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning with a runner on second base and Neto up to bat.
Brown was up 0-1 in the count, and Brown’s 95 mph sinker ran in on Neto, hitting the Angels shortstop in the hand. Neto took exception and immediately turned toward Brown and started yelling.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown, center, yells after hitting the Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto with a pitch during the third inning Friday, June 20, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Brown did not back down from Neto and started walking toward Neto and barking at the Angels shortstop as the home plate umpire stepped in front of Neto to try and defuse the situation. As Brown started toward Neto, both teams’ dugouts and bullpens emptied to join the fray.
Astros catcher Yainer Diaz held Brown back as the benches emptied. As Brown was being pulled away from the pile, he continued to yell toward Angels players who came off the bench.
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The Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto, right, gestures toward Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown after being hit by a pitch during the third inning Friday, June 20, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Order was eventually restored. There were no punches or ejections, and the game carried on.
Neto remained in the game after being hit by the pitch.
Brown ended up with a no-decision in the game after pitching five innings and yielding just one run on two hits. He struck out four batters.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown delivers during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels Friday, June 20, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
The Astros scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the 10th inning. The Astros’ Mauricio Dubón scored on a pitch thrown behind Astros’ third baseman Isaac Paredes.
The Astros (44-32) and Angels (36-39) play again at 9:38 p.m. ET Saturday.
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