MLB Ejection 064 - Paul Emmel (1; Terry Francona)

3B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Guardians manager Terry Francona (obstruction runner placement/penalty call by 2B Umpire Jeremie Rehak; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Athletics-#Guardians game. With one out and one on, Guardians baserunner R1 Steven Kwan attempted to steal second base, drawing a throw from A's catcher Sean Murphy. The throw evaded A's shortstop Elvis Andrus and continued into center field, leading Kwan, who had slid into second base, to attempt to advance to third base, becoming entangled with Andrus and tripping, resulting in an obstruction call from 2B Umpire Rehak. Kwan returned to second base as A's center fielder Cristian Pache backed up the throw and retrieved the loose baseball. Replays indicate Andrus, while the defense was not actively making a play on the runner, obstructed Kwan (Type 2 or Type B), but that Kwan likely would not have safely achieved third base had obstruction not occurred, due to Pache's defense, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 4-2. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Paul Emmel now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 MLB + 1 Correct-Crewmate = 4).

Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

*Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(2): "When obstruction occurs, the umpires shall call or signal 'Obstruction.' If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in their judgment will nullify the act of obstruction."

OBR 6.01(h) Comment: "After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, they can no longer be in the 'act of fielding' the ball. For example: An infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes them and they continue to lie on the ground and delay the progress of the runner, they very likely have obstructed the runner."

This is the 64th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 33rd manager ejection of 2022.

This is Cleveland's 1st ejection of 2022, T-4th in the AL Central (DET, KC, MIN 2; CLE, CWS 1).

This is Terry Francona's 1st ejection since July 9, 2021 (James Hoye; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).

This is Paul Emmel's 1st ejection since August 24, 2019 (Yonathan Daza; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Cleveland Guardians, 6/9/22 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Obstruction 2 decision to keep runner at 2B riles already-upset Tito (OAK)