Bucknor's False Strikeout, Non-Ejection (Jayson Werth)

Nationals LF Jayson Werth charged at HP Umpire CB Bucknor after umpires reversed a strikeout call with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Nationals-Braves game during a chaotic sequence for Bucknor and fellow umpires led by Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth.

Bucknor appeared to initially call "Time."

With two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th inning of a three-run game, Braves batter Chase d'Arnaud swung at a 1-2 slider from Nationals pitcher Shawn Kelley for an apparent third strike to end the game. After appeal from Braves 3B Coach Ron Washington, home plate umpire Bucknor alongside crewmates Manny Gonzalez (1B), Culbreth (2B), and Mark Carlson (3B) convened, and ultimately determined that d'Arnaud had fouled the ball into the dirt, and ordered play resumed with d'Arnaud still at bat with a 1-2 count. Replays indicate d'Arnaud's bat did not make contact with the baseball and that Bucknor appeared to call "Time" after the pitch's completion, the call was incorrect. Kelly struck out d'Arnaud in earnest on the ensuing pitch to give Washington a 4-1 victory.

Werth tears into Bucknor after the final out.

After the game's conclusion, Nats LF Werth approached Bucknor while yelling and gesticulating with such intensity that teammates had to physically restrain Werth as Bucknor walked off the field, accompanied by Gonzalez. Werth previously expressed dissatisfaction over strike calls made during a fourth-inning at-bat in which Bucknor called Werth out on strikes. Replays indicated two of the three called strikes, including the called third strike, were located off the plate.

This unofficial ejection discussion is presented as an Umpire Odds & Ends post, pursuant to UEFL Rule 8-2, which governs unofficial ejections and unique umpiring situations that may not lead to an ejection. While no ejection mechanic appeared to have manifested during the strange sequence, the situation—and Werth's apparent unsporting conduct—merits further discussion.

Bucknor's most recent ejection on Sunday, April 16 also concerned a mechanically unclear play.

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves, 4/18/17 | Videos (2 videos) via "Read More"

MLB Ejection 099: Chad Fairchild (5; Jayson Werth)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Nationals RF Jayson Werth for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 10th inning of the Dodgers-Nationals game. With one out and none on, Nationals batter Ian Desmond

Fairchild called the red pitch strike three.

took a 3-2 cutter from Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located knee high and over the inner half of home plate (sz_bot 1.470, pz 1.561; px -0.594), the call was correct. Immediately prior to Desmond's at bat, Werth had been called out on strikes, on a pitch located within the strike zone (sz_bot 1.590, sz_top 3.670, pz 2.598; px 0.792). At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 3-1. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 3-1, in 10 innings.

This is Chad Fairchild (75)'s fifth ejection of 2013.
Chad Fairchild now has 17 points in the UEFL (13 + 2 + 2 = 17).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 99th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 45th player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Werth was 0-5 in the contest.
This is the Nationals' 4th ejection of 2013, T-2nd in the NL East (ATL 5; NYM, WAS 4; MIA, PHI 2).
This is Jayson Werth's first career ejection.
This is Chad Fairchild's first ejection since July 11, 2013 (Luke Putkonen, Jim Leyland; QOC = U).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals, 7/20/13
Video: After striking out to go 0-5, Werth witnesses another called third strike and is tossed arguing (Soon)