Scioscia gets apology call from Porter over foul ball

HOUSTON -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia got a surprise phone call Saturday morning, but one he's heard before after a Houston game.

Astros manager Bo Porter called Scioscia to apologize for an "unacceptable" incident during the sixth inning of Friday's game.

Houston outfielder Chris Carter popped the ball up in foul territory in front of the Astros' dugout, causing Angels catcher Hank Conger and first baseman Mark Trumbo to give chase. Neither caught it, with Trumbo and Conger each appearing to back off near the last second. Conger was originally charged with an error for failing to catch what looked to be a relatively routine play.

But the error was curiously revoked after the game, only furthering the confusion about the play. Conger said he heard someone yell, "I got it," so he backed off. However, Trumbo hadn't called him off.

Porter acknowledged someone yelled at Conger, but he wouldn't say who it was or what exactly was hollered.

"It came from our dugout," Porter said. "I called Mike this morning and he and I had a good conversation about it. I apologized to him on behalf of our ballclub. It's nothing I condone, but I take full responsibility and it won't happen again. It was handled the way it should be handled."

The play didn't lead to any damage, as Conger nailed Jose Altuve trying to steal third and Carter grounded into a force out to end the inning.

For Scioscia, it might as well have been water under the bridge by Saturday.

"It's nothing. I appreciate the call, and it's not an issue," Scioscia said. "We're not holding any grudges. We'll go out and play like we do."

Back in May, Porter also phoned Scioscia, apologizing for accidentally making an illegal pitching change. That move got crew chief Fieldin Culbreth suspended and the rest of the umpiring crew fined.