MLB Ejections 060-1 - Chad Fairchild (1-2; MIA x2)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Marlins 2B Xavier Edwards and manager Clayton McCullough (runner's lane interference call; QOCN) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Marlins-#Rays game. With none out and one on, Marlins batter Edwards bunted a 0-0 fastball from Rays pitcher Zack Littell on the ground to Littell, who threw to first baseman Jonathan Aranda as batter-runner Edwards arrived at first base, resulting in a collision between Edwards and Aranda as the ball caromed into right field, ruled runner's lane interference by HP Umpire Fairchild. Replays indicate the batter-runner may have run outside of the expanded runner's lane (e.g., on the infield grass), but that the pitcher's low throw could not have reasonably retired the runner, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 1-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

 

These are Chad Fairchild (4)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2025.

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11): "The batter is out when in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, they run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

2024 MLB Rules Change: The runner's lane has been expanded to include the dirt in fair territory.

Wendelstedt Umpire Manual Interpretation: "The determination is not whether the throw is true, but whether it could still reasonably retire the runner."

These are the 60th and 61st ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 18th player & 31st manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 31 Managers, 12 Coaches, 18 Players.

This is Miami's 1/2nd ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL East (MIA, WAS 2; PHI 1; ATL, NYM 0).

This is Xavier Edwards' 1st career MLB ejection.

This is Clayton McCullough's 1st career MLB ejection.

This is Chad Fairchild's 1st ejection since July 11, 2024 (Miguel Cairo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs Tampa Bay Rays, 6/6/25 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Fairchild's runner's lane interference call during bunt leaves two Marlins ejected