The best (and worst) moments from last night’s Jays vs. Rangers fracas

The best (and worst) moments from last night’s Jays vs. Rangers fracas

Sunday’s Jays game against the Texas Rangers devolved into fisticuffs in the seventh inning, when Jose Bautista slid late into second base, prompting Texas player Rougned Odor to punch him in the face and maybe also try unsuccessfully to hit him with the ball. The roots of the contretemps, of course, stretch back to last October, when Bautista sealed a volatile game near the end of the American League Division Series with a mighty home run, and an even mightier bat flip.

When the tension boiled over yesterday, it seemed like everyone from either team was somehow involved in the dustup. Here are some of the best, funniest, or downright weirdest moments that you might have missed during the live broadcast.

Eyes off the ball

bryan-holiday

Rangers catcher Bryan Holaday, who was backing up the play, ran from the live ball like it was radioactive and made a beeline for the hoedown.

Kevin Pillar gains the strength of four Texans

pillar-tussle

It took four Rangers to restrain a whirling Kevin Pillar, who was one of the first into the melee. (For a while, four didn’t seem like enough.)

Josh Donaldson gains the power of flight

donaldson-tackle

Josh Donaldson’s jump-tackle of Odor was especially spectacular—in part because of his flowing locks. (But mostly because HE JUMP-TACKLED ODOR.)

Things calm down—and then they don’t

jacoby-and-bannister

It looked like things were about to settle down, but then Rangers manager Jeff Banister and Jays hitting coach Brook Jacoby decided they hadn’t quite gotten everything off their chests. Fitting, perhaps, that the two old guys were ready for an old-school donnybrook.

Ryan Goins plays peacemaker

goins-and-bautista

Ryan Goins wasn’t particularly convincing when he assured the umpiring crew that he had Bautista restrained.

Bannister heads back into the fray

fielder-and-bannister

Rangers player Prince Fielder hauled his manager out of the crowd, but then Banister walked straight back into the scrum.

Odor suddenly feels shy

odor-backs-away

By the end, tough guy Odor (far right) was edging as far away as he could.

To be continued

bannister

As he walked off the field, Bannister clapped his hands together like a wrestling villain, trying to pump up a crowd already thirsty for blood.