ANAHEIM - A's right fielder Matt Joyce got involved in a heated argument with a fan during Friday night's loss to the Angels and allegedly used an anti-gay slur.
The exchange took place after Joyce's at-bat that ended the top of the eighth and was overheard by Associated Press photographer Mark J. Terrill. According to Terrill, Joyce also used profanity and challenged the fan to a fight. Terrill did not hear how the exchange started or what the fan said to Joyce.
"It's just one of those things that fans kind of get into the game," Joyce told the AP after the game. "Obviously, we're pretty frustrated on our side and I had just hit a ball hard and had (Angels first baseman C.J.) Cron make a good play. I was walking back to the dugout and just had a fan yell some vulgar and obscene words. For me it just wasn't the right time to say some stuff like that. I fired back and obviously as soon as you fire back you regret saying anything, because it's just not worth it."
Joyce didn't address the nature of his comments.
A's general manager David Forst did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Major League Baseball and the team are likely to take the incident seriously. The Toronto Blue Jays suspended outfielder Kevin Pillar two games earlier this season for using an anti-gay slur toward Braves pitcher Jason Motte.
