In the ninth inning Tuesday, Travis Hafner of the Cleveland Indians absolutely crushes a pitch from the Angels' Justin Speier for a game-winning home run.
In the ninth inning Wednesday, with a four-run lead, two out and none on, Speier hits Hafner with a pitch.
"It didn't look too good, did it?" Cleveland Manager Eric Wedge said.
Wedge said he did not know whether to categorize the plunking as intentional and retaliatory. Speier said it was neither, just "good old-fashioned baseball" in trying to keep the ball inside on a power hitter who punishes mistakes.
"With that type of hitter, you have to try to pitch both sides of the plate," Speier said. "I was just trying to come in."
Hafner, who took first base without incident, would not say whether he thought Speier took aim at him.
"I don't know what was going on his head," Hafner said.
Did he consider the circumstances odd?
"Strange is a good word," Hafner said. "Curious."
The Angels and Indians do not meet again until July 21.
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The Angels fly to Seattle today and face the Mariners this weekend. The Angels last visited Safeco Field in August, when they ruined the Mariners' pennant hopes with a three-game sweep in which they outscored Seattle, 24-8.
The Mariners have made no secret of their intention to win this season, spending $48 million on right-hander Carlos Silva and trading five players to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Erik Bedard. While the Angels have their top two starters on the disabled list -- John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar -- the Mariners have lined up their top three starters -- Silva, Bedard and Felix Hernandez -- for this series.
The Angels won't entertain thoughts of making a statement this weekend.
"Every game matters," Speier said, "whether you're playing in April or September, whether you're playing an East Coast team or a West Coast team."
Does Speier consider the American League West a two-team race between the Angels and Mariners?
"Too early to tell," he said.
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