The Los Angeles Angels (9-5) maintained their strong start to the 2025 MLB season with a comfortable 4-1 win over the Houston Astros (6-8) on Saturday night, leveling the series at one game each. However, the game wasn’t without drama, and it came well before the final pitch.
In the bottom of the second inning, catcher Yainer Diaz hit a foul ball that sparked a wave of reaction and drew comparisons to a controversial play in last year’s World Series. A fan in right field appeared to pull the ball from the glove of Angels star Mike Trout, prompting an immediate protest from the veteran outfielder. Since the ball had already made contact with the spectator, the play stood and the at-bat continued. Still, the fan didn’t escape consequences.
The man and his son were moved to a different section of Daikin Park, which drew boos from the home crowd. The moment reminded many of a similar incident during Game 4 of the 2024 Fall Classic at Yankee Stadium, when fans openly interfered with Mookie Betts, leading to lifetime bans for two individuals. In this case, however, the fan’s immediate remorse suggested a less malicious intent.
The fan later shared what he was thinking in the moment he reached for the ball that denied Trout a potential third out (Diaz ended up flying out anyway).
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