Tigers’ Jim Leyland says there’s too much tension between teams and umpires

Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland, in the wake of the four ejections that marred the Angels’ 1-0 win Tuesday night, said tension between umpires and teams is so high right now that it is palpable.

“There’s just too much tension,” Leyland said before Wednesday’s game. “I mean, you can feel it. Managers, coaches and players are on edge. Umpires are on edge, and it leads to blow-ups. It’s not a good situation.”

It seemed to get worse on a muggy 87-degree afternoon Wednesday in Angel Stadium, where tempers, especially in the Angels dugout, flared again.

The Angels issued eight walks, five in 51/3 innings by rookie starter Tyler Chatwood, in a 5-4 loss, but several Angels felt the free passes had more to do with umpire Joe West’s extremely tight strike zone than Chatwood’s control.

Only one, right fielder Torii Hunter, would broach the subject on the record.

“It is what it is,” Hunter said. “Joe West is definitely not on my Christmas card list, and you can write that.”

Hunter then planted his tongue firmly in his cheek when he said, “Joe West is a great umpire … he’s awesome … he’s the best in the league … shoot!”

The same crew was equipped with hooks Tuesday night. Angels designated hitter Bobby Abreu was ejected by plate umpire Angel Campos for arguing a called third strike in the first inning.

Leyland, still fuming about a blown second-inning call that allowed Howie Kendrick to reach base and eventually score the only run, was ejected by West, who was at first base, before the seventh inning.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander gestured at third base umpire Angel Hernandez after he was pulled in the eighth inning and was tossed.

Verlander was apparently upset about numerous warnings to not lick his pitching fingers and then grip the ball. A new rule allows pitchers to go to their mouth on the mound, but they must wipe the moisture off on their uniform before grasping the ball.

And Detroit pitcher Rick Porcello was ejected in the ninth, apparently for jawing with West from the Tigers dugout.

“I know Joe Torre [Major League Baseball’s executive vice-president of operations] is trying to get it resolved,” Leyland said, “but right now the tension seems worse.”

Through Tuesday, there had been 109 ejections in the majors, including 16 in the first five days of July.

Haren history

With his two-hit, nine-strikeout, no-walk shutout Tuesday, Dan Haren became the third pitcher in Angels history to throw a shutout while giving up two hits or less, no walks and striking out at least nine.

Mike Witt did it Sept. 30, 1984, when he threw a perfect game with 10 strikeouts at Texas, and John Lackey did it July 7, 2006, when he threw a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts at Oakland, allowing a double to Mark Kotsay to start the first inning and retiring the next 27 batters.

Haren’s gem also marked the fourth consecutive game in which the Angels gave up no more than a run. The last time they did that was in five games in a row Sept. 24-29, 1972, when their rotation was led by Nolan Ryan and Clyde Wright.

Minor injuries

Left fielder Vernon Wells tweaked his right ankle and suffered a bruised heel Tuesday night when he landed awkwardly on the first base bag on a fourth-inning groundout. Wells started at designated hitter Wednesday and hit a run-scoring double in the first inning.

Shortstop Erick Aybar (tightness in right quadriceps) did not play Wednesday, but he is expected to return Thursday night.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com