Hug It Out

from the Houston Chronicle:

Tempers flare as Astros lose
By BRIAN McTAGGARTCopyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Wheeler shoves Sampson after squandering lead; both players later downplay incident.

Still burning up inside over an eighth inning somehow turned disastrous and wound up costing the Astros a much-needed victory Wednesday night, reliever Dan Wheeler was in no mood for consolation.

Astros starter Chris Sampson found that out when he tried to approach Wheeler shortly after the reliever had given up four runs en route to suffering the loss in the Oakland Athletics' 7-3 victory at Minute Maid Park.

The frustrations of a terrible night and disappointing season got the best of Wheeler, who shoved Sampson away with both hands in the dugout and pointed as if motioning for him to go toward the opposite end of the bench.

Both pitchers downplayed the incident, which was captured by television cameras.

Astros: 27-38