Thursday, July 27, 2017

MLB Ejection 114 - Stu Scheurwater (3; Joe Girardi)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Yankees Manager Joe Girardi (strike one call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Rays-Yankees game. With none out and none on, Yankees batter Aaron Judge took a 0-0 fastball from Rays pitcher Sergio Romo for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and knee-high (px .994, pz 1.786 [sz_bot 1.746]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 5-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 11 innings.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Stu Scheurwater now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (9 Prev + 3 AAA - 1 Penalty - 4 QOCN = 7).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has -1 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -1).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This is the 114th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 59th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is New York-AL's 5th ejection of 2017, 3rd in the AL East (TOR 7; TB 6; NYY 5; BOS 4; BAL 3).
This is Joe Girardi's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since May 20 (Scott Barry; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Stu Scheurwater's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since June 17 (Bryan Price; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees, 7/27/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 111-13 - Will Little (3-5; TOR x3)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons, pitcher Marcus Stroman and catcher Russell Martin (ball two, three, and four calls; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the Athletics-Blue Jays game. With two out and none on, A's batter Bruce Maxwell took a 1-0 curveball from Blue Jays pitcher Stroman for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and below the midpoint (px -.760, pz 3.247 [sz_top 3.411]), the call was correct (Kulpa Rule-QOCY by .576 inches).* Later during the at-bat, Maxwell took a 2-0 fastball for a called third ball and 3-1 fastball for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the 2-0 pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px .672, pz 1.477 [sz_bot 1.565]) and the 3-1 pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -.996, pz 2.628), the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the A's were leading, 3-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-4, in 11 innings.

This is Will Little (93)'s third, fourth, fifth ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Will Little now has 17 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Prev + 3*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 17).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 3 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 3 Correct Call = 3).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This is the 111th, 112th, 113th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 58th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is the 47th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Stroman's line was 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 BB, 4 SO.
This is the 48th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Martin was 0-2 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Toronto's 5/6/7th ejection of 2017, 1st in the AL East (TOR 7; TB 6; BOS, NYY 4; BAL 3).
This is John Gibbons' 4th ejection of 2017, 1st since May 8 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Obstruction]).
This is Marcus Stroman's first career MLB ejection.
This is Russell Martin's first ejection since July 1, 2016 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Will Little's 3rd-5th ejection of 2017, 1st since May 27 (Bob Melvin; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7/27/17 | Video as follows:

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

MLB Ejections 109-110 - Gerry Davis (1-2; Beltre, Banister)

2B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre & Manager Jeff Banister (moving on-deck circle in defiance of order) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Marlins-Rangers game. With two out and the bases loaded, Rangers batter Nomar Mazara stepped to the plate and Beltre became the on-deck hitter. Replays indicate that Beltre assumed his position outside of the on-deck circle and closer to home plate in contravention of Official Baseball Rule Appendix 1, prompting 2B Umpire Davis to order Beltre into his on-deck circle pursuant to Rule 8.01, the call was irrecusable. After review, the Original Ruling has been affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (9-0-0), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 18-6. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 22-10.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s first, second ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Gerry Davis now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (-5 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = -1).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has -5 points in Crew Division (-7 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Call = -5).
*Diagram No. 1 states that the next batter's box (aka the on-deck circle) shall be a circle five-feet in diameter, whose position shall be at the end of a 37-foot measurement taken parallel to the front edge of home plate and measured from the intersection of the edge of the dirt circle and line drawn from the point of plate, extended toward the backstop at an angle perpendicular to the front edge of home plate.
*Rule 8.01(a) states, in part, "The umpires shall be responsible for the conduct of the game in accordance with these official rules and for maintaining discipline and order on the playing field during the game."
Rule 8.01(b) states, in part, "Each umpire has authority to order a player, coach, manager or club officer or employee to do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties."
Rule 8.01(d) states, in part, "Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field."

This is the 109th, 110th, ejection report of 2017.
This is the 46th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Beltre was 3-3 in the contest.
This is the 57th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Texas' 4th/5th ejection of 2017, 1st in the AL West (TEX 5; OAK, SEA 4; HOU 2; LAA 1).
This is Adrian Beltre's first ejection since August 23, 2015 (Adam Hamari; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jeff Banister's 4th ejection of 2017, 1st since June 18 (Joe West; QOC = Y-C [HBP/Foul]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since September 16, 2016 (Bryan Price; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Texas Rangers, 7/26/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 108 - DJ Reyburn (3; Bruce Rondon)

HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected Tigers pitcher Bruce Rondon (Throwing At Royals batter Mike Moustakas) in the top of the 9th inning of the Royals-Tigers game. With one out and one on (R1), Moustakas took two consecutive inside fastballs from Rondon, the second resulting in a hit-by-pitch and bench-clearing incident. Replays indicate the 1-0 pitch was thrown at 99-mph and hit Moustakas on the upper right thigh, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 14-2. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 16-2.

This is DJ Reyburn (70)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
DJ Reyburn now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = -2).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 14 points in Crew Division (13 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 14).

This is the 108th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 45th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Rondon's line was 0.1 IP, 3 ER, HBP.
This is Detroit's 4th ejection of 2017, T-2nd in the AL Central (CWS 11; DET, KC 4; MIN 2; CLE 0).
This is Bruce Rendon's first career MLB ejection.
This is DJ Reyburn's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since June 28 (Torey Luvollo; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, 7/26/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 107 - Chris Segal (2; Bryce Harper)

HP Umpire Chris Segal ejected Nationals RF Bryce Harper (strike one call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Brewers-Nationals game. With one out and two on, Harper took a 1-0 fastball from Brewers pitcher Josh Hader for a called first strike before two consecutive swinging strikes for a strikeout. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -.095, pz 1.638 [sz_bot 1.601]; there were no other callable pitches thrown during the at-bat), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

This is Chris Segal (96)'s second ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Chris Segal now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 11).
Crew Chief Mike Everitt now has 14 points in Crew Division (13 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 14).

This is the 107th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 44th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Harper was 1-4 (SO) in the contest.
This is Washington's 4th ejection of 2017, T-2nd in the NL East (MIA 6; ATL, WAS 4; NYM 2; PHI 1).
This Bryce Harper's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since May 29 (Brian Gorman; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Chris Segal's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since June 18 (Brian Snitker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Washington Nationals, 7/26/17 | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Hickox Out After Line Drive to Foot

Struck in the foot by a line drive while umpiring at second base, Ed Hickox was out of the lineup Wednesday in San Francisco.

Ed Hickox calls umpire interference.
With two out and two on (R2, R3) during Tuesday night's Pirates-Giants game, Giants batter Buster Posey hit a line drive up the middle and toward 2B Umpire Hickox, who stood in the Deep B (really deep) umpire's position. In attempting to avoid the batted ball, Hickox inadvertently stepped into the baseball with his left foot, kicking it to shortstop, before coming down awkwardly on his left leg. Remarked Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow, "the way he came down on his knee, I'm concerned about it."

Hickox and crew then enforced Umpire Interference Rule 5.05(b)(4) ("The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out [when]—A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair territory before touching a fielder. If a fair ball touches an umpire after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder, including the pitcher, the ball is in play"), placing Posey at first base while sending baserunners R2 and R3 back to second and third base, respectively.
Related PostRules 2.00 & 6.01(f): Umpire Interference (7/5/12).

Triple-A call-up Shane Livensparger replaced Hickox for Wednesday's game at AT&T Park.

Relevant Injury History: Though Hickox has sustained concussions, there are no lower body injuries on file.

Last Game: July 25, 2017 | Return to Play: 2018 | Total Time Absent: Rest of Season | Video as follows:

Double Switch Drama in LA and the Lineup Card Rule

HP Umpire Lance Barrett misheard Paul Molitor's double switch request, causing a substitution Rule 5.10 delay in LA during Tuesday night's Twins-Dodgers game—with an odd resolution that involved the umpires ordering a player on the bench back onto the field while prohibiting Minnesota from using one of its bullpen relievers for the rest of the night.

Crossed wires led to a lineup card dispute.
We'll begin with a description of the play, with an explanation and analysis of the chaotic double switch's resolution, and video of the entire 18-minute sequence. In sum, though the plate umpire may have misheard Molitor, the crew properly applied the exhaustive, but seldom-seen collection of provisions within Rule 5.10 to bring about a legal resolution to a confusing play.

The Play: With none out and one on in the bottom of the 6th inning, Dodgers batter Chase Utley hit a 2-1 fastball from Twins pitcher Trevor Hildenberger on the ground to first baseman Joe Mauer for a groundout. After the play, Twins Manager Paul Molitor approached HP Umpire Lance Barrett to execute a double switch, replacing pitcher Hildenberger with position player Ehire Adrianza, while relief pitcher Ryan Pressly replaced shortstop Jorge Polanco, batting 7th, who had made the second out in the top of the 6th inning.

Or did he?

Umpires Fagan, Barrett, Reynolds & Welke.
The Discussion: Prompted by Bench Coach Bob Geren, Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts approached Barrett and a discussion amongst acting crew chief Bill Welke's crew ensued, play resumed, and Pressly threw ball one to Puig with Adrianza at shortstop in place of Rosario. Roberts then reemerged from the third-base dugout and appealed to Barrett for a further ruling as to Minnesota's substitution, upon which the crew reconvened, with Barrett and Welke approaching Molitor.

The Dispute: Roberts referred to a discrepancy between the lineup displayed on the Dodger Stadium scoreboard—which showed Adrianza batting ninth (and due to lead off the top of the 7th) and pitcher Pressly in SS Polanco's seventh spot, and which reflected the Twins' defensive alignment on the playing field of Adrianza at shortstop, Rosario in left field, and Polanco on the bench—and what appeared on Barrett (and Geren)'s lineup card, which also placed Adrianza in the ninth spot in the batting order, but instead had Adrianza in left field, relief pitcher Matt Belisle batting fifth, in place of the subbed-out left fielder Rosario, and shortstop Polanco remaining in the game, batting seventh.

The lineup on DodgerVision was wrong.
Green text indicates the official card version.
The umpires then donned the replay headsets to conduct a rules check with the Replay Operations Center.

The Crew's Decision: Following the nearly-20-minute delay, the umpires placed Adrianza in Hildenberger's vacated nine-spot in the batting order (as they had initially done), while defensively, Adrianza was placed in left field to replace Rosario, whose fifth-spot in the batting order was assumed by relief pitcher Pressly. (Belisle and Rosario were ordered removed from the game). For the reasons below, this was the correct call.

Sidebar (History Lesson): Welke must have learned his lesson since getting fined in 2013 after incorrectly applying similar substitution rules during an Astros pitching change that ultimately resulted in Mike Scioscia's decision to file a protest. This time, acting crew chief Welke got the call right.
Related PostAngels Protest After Wright Exists Without Throwing a Pitch (5/9/13).

A similar mixup occurred in a 2012 game.
Sidebar (Precedent): Believe it or not, this isn't the first time a miscommunicated double switch has wreaked havoc in a Major League game. In June 2012, Cardinals rookie skipper Mike Matheny was forced to remove first baseman Allen Craig from the game when his double-switch maneuver was lost in translation with HP Umpire Bob Davidson. Miami Manager Ozzie Guillen spoke with Crew Chief Jerry Layne about the discrepancy, which resulted in a somewhat similar outcome as occurred at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
Related PostOzzie Guillen Key Figure in Cardinals-Marlins Lineup Snafu (6/26/12).

Substitution Rule: According to Official Baseball Rule 5.10(b) (which, back in Ozzie's day, was known as Rule 3.06), "The manager shall immediately notify the umpire-in chief of any substitution and shall state to the umpire-in-chief the substitute’s place in the batting order."

Rule 5.10(b) Comment states, "To avoid any confusion, the manager should give the name of the substitute, his position in the batting order and his position on the field. When two or more substitute players of the defensive team enter the game at the same time, the manager shall, immediately before they take their positions as fielders, designate to the umpire-in-chief such players’ positions in the team’s batting order, and the umpire-in-chief shall so notify the official scorer. If this information is not immediately given to the umpire-in-chief, the umpire-in-chief shall have authority to designate the substitutes’ places in the batting order."

Bench Coach Geren is the team's rules man.
Analysis: Unlike a batting-out-of-order situation, there is no formal appeal play that can take place by the offensive team claiming a rules violation by the defense: there are no outs to grant, no other rewards to bestow, nor penalties to enforce.

A multiple substitution (aka double-switch) concerns two simultaneous transactions. Throw out the batting order and defensive positioning for a second while we discuss this point.

During the 6th inning on Tuesday, the two simultaneous substitutions on Barrett's official lineup card (and what was thus communicated to Roberts and Geren) were: 1) Adrianza for Hildenberger, and 2) Belisle for Rosario.

As the green color-coding suggests, Adrianza-for-Hildenberger went off without a hitch as both players legally entered and exited the game. The problem exchange was Belisle for Rosario, which Molitor had intended as Pressly for Polanco (which is why Pressly assumed the mound and Polanco assumed the bench).

It would appear Barrett heard "Belisle for Rosario" when Molitor said "Pressly for Polanco." In 2013, Dodger Thoughts blogger Jon Weisman (before he was hired by the team) wrote about how the music at Dodger Stadium had gotten much louder compared to previous years, causing even Vin Scully to complain, "Boy, the music is loud."

Weisman continued, "I don't understand [for] whom they're making it loud for."

Perhaps the loud music contributed to the communication error between Molitor and Barrett.

Rules for Pre-First Pitch Detection: The relevant provision of Rule 5.10(d) states, "If a player who has been substituted for attempts to re-enter, or re-enters, the game in any capacity, the umpire-in-chief shall direct the player’s manager to remove such player from the game immediately upon noticing the player’s presence or upon being informed of the player’s improper presence by another umpire or by either manager. If such direction to remove the substituted for player occurs before play commences with the player improperly in the game, then the substitute player may enter the game."

Welke and Barrett discuss with Molitor.
The relevant portion of OBR 5.10(h) states, "If an improper substitution is made for the pitcher, the umpire shall direct the proper pitcher to return to the game until the provisions of this rule are fulfilled." (according to 5.10(g), "the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire-in-chief’s judgment, incapacitates him for further play as a pitcher").

What this means: Had the situation been caught before play commenced, with substituted-for Rosario remaining in the game as the left fielder and substitute player Belisle still in the bullpen, UIC Barrett could have simply reconciled the on-field defensive alignment to match the official lineup cards (e.g., by placing P Belisle into the game as batting fifth, keeping SS Polanco as seventh, and substitute Adrianza as ninth, while ordering LF Rosario out of the game and keeping bullpen player Pressly as eligible for later substitution).

Alas, Welke's crew only became aware of the discrepancy after a pitch had already been thrown to Puig, thanks to Robert's strategic decision to wait before introducing the issue in earnest to the crew.

Welke, Reynolds and Barrett finish their talk.
Rules for Post-Pitch Detection: Rule 5.10(d) contains the key for what should happen in the event that play proceeds after an improper substitution has been made: "If such direction to remove the substituted-for player occurs after play has commenced with the substituted-for player in the game, then the substitute player shall be deemed to have been removed from the game (in addition to the removal of the substituted-for player) and shall not enter the game."

To translate, if the infraction is discovered after play commences—as it was here—substitute player Belisle would be prohibited from entering the game...but wait, isn't Belisle a pitcher and required to face at least one batter?

Rule 5.10(h) continues, "If the improper pitcher is permitted to pitch, any play that results is legal. The improper pitcher becomes the proper pitcher as soon as he makes his first pitch to the batter, or as soon as any runner is put out."

What this means: Because improper pitcher Pressly threw a pitch to batter Puig, he thereby became the proper pitcher. Accordingly, per OBR 5.10(d), Belisle was prohibited from entering the game due to play having commenced before the substitution infraction was discovered. In other words, Geren prodded Roberts to wait until a pitch had been thrown to ensure that the Dodgers would not have to face Belisle at any point during the game (and to shorten Minnesota's bullpen options while getting LF Rosario out of the game).

Note about 5.10(d) vs 5.10(h) Timelines: Rule 5.10(d) refers to "play has commenced," whereas 5.10(h) refers to "his first pitch to the batter, or as soon as any runner is put out." Thus, with a runner on second base, had improper pitcher Pressly attempted a pickoff, 5.10(d)'s "play has commenced" criterion would be satisfied, but 5.10(h)'s would not (unless the pickoff retired the runner). Thus, had the infraction been discovered only after this hypothetical unsuccessful pickoff but before an actual pitch was thrown to Puig, here's what would have happened: 1) Belisle would have been ordered into the game to face Puig. 2) After Puig completed his at-bat, Belisle would have been ordered out of the game.

Finally, OBR 5.10(d) states, "A player once removed from a game shall not re-enter that game."
The only remaining question is whether SS Polanco, by going into the dugout, was "removed from the game." Rule 5.10(j) concerns unannounced substitutions, and states that a substitute shall be considered as having entered the game when "he reaches the position usually occupied by the fielder he has replaced, and play commences."

But this clearly cannot apply, as during a multiple substitution (double switch), the substitute replaces a player whose position is different than his own (e.g., Adrianza replaced pitcher Hildenberger); recall that Adrianza's substitution is not at issue here: only Belisle for Rosario, versus Pressly for Polanco.

As such, the rule ultimately fails to address a double switch situation in which an unannounced substitution (which is also in contravention of the official record) takes place and the improper pitcher has become the proper pitcher by virtue of throwing a pitch. Based on the 2012 Cardinals-Marlins situation, past practice supports placing positions players at their proper locations so as to match their eligible status as indicated on the lineup card. Because Polanco was listed as the shortstop on such card, he was still in the game and did not violate Rule 5.10(d) by assuming his position at shortstop, because the player physically at shortstop for that first pitch thrown to Puig—Adrianza—was the substitute for Hildenberger, who was properly removed from the game.

Conclusion: In other words, Barrett purportedly misheard Molitor's "Pressly for Polanco" as "Belisle for Rosario." However, the crew properly officiated the aftermath, including discovery of the infraction after a pitch had already been thrown by an originally-improper pitcher, who, by virtue of Rule 5.10(h), was now proper.

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7/25/17 | Video as follows:

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

MLB Ejection 106 - Lance Barksdale (1; Kris Bryant)

HP Umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Cubs 3B Kris Bryant (called third strike; QOCN) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the White Sox-Cubs game. With one out and one on (R2), Bryant took a 2-2 fastball from White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodón for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and waist-high (px -1.350, pz 2.842), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 4-2. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Lance Barksdale (23)'s first ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Lance Barksdale now has -3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -3).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 6 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 6).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*Pitch was 6.212 inches off the inner edge of home plate (-1.350 + Radius_Ball = -1.226 + .708 = .518 * 12 = 6.212). MOE brings pitch no closer than 5"+ from inner edge.

This is the 106th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 43rd player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Bryant was 0-3 (3 SO) in the contest.
This is Chicago-NL's 2nd ejection of 2017, 5th in the NL Central (MIL 5; PIT 4; CIN, STL 3; CHC 2).
This is Kris Bryant's first career MLB ejection.
This is Lance Barksdale's first ejection since June 16, 2015 (Justin De Fratus; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs, 7/25/17 | Video as follows:

Monday, July 24, 2017

MLB Ejections 104-5 - Chris Conroy (1-2; SF x2)

HP Umpire Chris Conroy ejected Giants Manager Bruce Bochy (ball two call; QOCY) in the top of the 2nd and Pitching Coach Dave Righetti (ball four call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the Pirates-Giants game. In the 2nd, ith two out and two on, Pirates batter Andrew McCutchen took a 1-0 curveball from Giants pitcher Matt Cain for a called ball before hitting a home run on an ensuing 3-1 curveball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the midpoint (px .427, pz 3.227 [sz_top 3.260 / MOE 3.177]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 6-0. In the 9th, with two out and two on, Pirates batter Francisco Cervelli took a 3-2 cutter from Giants pitcher Kyle Crick for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px .781, pz 1.932), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 10-3. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 10-3.

This is Chris Conroy (98)'s first, second ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Chris Conroy now has 5 point in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 5).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has -2 points in Crew Division (-4 Previous + 2 Correct Call = -2).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This is the 104th, 105th ejection of 2017.
This is the 56th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is San Francisco's 3rd/4th ejection of 2017, T-2nd in the NL West (LAD 6; COL, SF 4; ARI, SD 2).
This is Bruce Bochy's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since June 16 (Gary Cederstrom; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Dave Righetti's first ejection since May 5, 2007 (Jim Reynolds; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Chris Conroy's first ejection since September 19, 2016 (Josh Donaldson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Francisco Giants, 7/24/17 | Videos (x2) as follows:

Sunday, July 23, 2017

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Carlos Torres

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Carlos Torres.
Name: Carlos Torres Nuldis
Pronunciation Guide: CAR-los TORR-ess
Date of Birth: September 14, 1978
Place of Birth: Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela

MiLB Leagues Worked: Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Carolina, Southern, International.
MLB Debut: July 17, 2015 (MLB)
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 37
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 5.
Ejection 206 (SD M Andy Green; QOC = Y).
Ejection 205 (SD 1B Eric Hosmer; QOC = Y).
Ejection 126 (CIN M David Bell; QOC = Y).
Ejection 125 (CIN 3B Eugenio Suarez; QOC = Y).
Ejection 089 (SEA M Scott Servais; QOC = Y).

2018 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 079 (CIN 1B Joey Votto; QOC = Y).
Ejection 036 (DET M Ron Gardenhire; QOC = Y).

2017 Ejections: 10.
Ejection 149 (DET M Brad Ausmus; QOC = U).
Ejection 148 (DET P Alex Wilson; QOC = U).
Ejection 144 (NYY M Joe Girardi; QOC = U).
Ejection 143 (DET DH Miguel Cabrera; QOC = U).
Ejection 142 (NYY P Tommy Kahnle; QOC = U).
Ejection 126 (PHIL BC Larry Bowa; QOC = N).
Ejection 072 (MIA PH Christian Colon; QOC = Y).
Ejection 040 (LAD BC Bob Geren; QOC = U).
Ejection 039 (MIA M Don Mattingly; QOC = U).
Ejection 038 (LAD P Ross Stripling; QOC = U).

2016 Ejections: 4.
Ejection 155 (MIL 1B Hernan Perez; QOC = N).
Ejection 121 (KC DH Kendrys Morales; QOC = N).
Ejection 084 (SEA M Scott Servais; QOC = Y).
Ejection 038 (NYM M Terry Collins; QOC = N). *First Career MLB Ejection*

2015 Ejections: None.
2014 Ejections: None.

Ejection History: 0 (2014), 0 (2015), 4 (2016), 10 (2017), 2 (2018), 5 (2019).

UEFL History: Carlos Torres

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: -
Wild Card Game: 20192020
Division Series: -
Championship Series: -
World Series: -

Notes: Hired to the full-time MLB staff prior to the 2017 season.
» Graduated from the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring (JEAPU) in 2009.
» Officiated the 2019 London Series.