MLB Ejection 064 - Vic Carapazza (2; Yunel Escobar)

HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Angels 3B Yunel Escobar for arguing a strike two call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Astros-Angels game. With none out and none on, Escobar took a 1-1 fastball from Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -.637, pz 1.508 [sz_bot 1.570 / MOE 1.487]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 4-2. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Vic Carapazza now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 12 points in Crew Division (11 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 12).

This is the 64th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 33rd player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Escobar was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is Anaheim's 3rd ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the AL West (TEX 4; HOU, LAA 3; OAK, SEA 0).
This is Yunel Escobar's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since May 21 (Dale Scott; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Vic Carapazza's first ejection since May 5, 2016 (Dexter Fowler; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 5/28/16 | Video available via "Read more"

Ejections 062|063 - Hamari (1|2; Syndergaard, Collins)

HP Umpire Adam Hamari ejected Mets P Noah Syndergaard for throwing at Dodgers 2B Chase Utley and Mets Manager Terry Collins for arguing Syndergaard's ejection in the top of the 3rd inning of the Dodgers-Mets game. With one out and none on, batter Utley took a first-pitch fastball from Syndergaard for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch, a 99-mph fastball, was thrown behind Utley and waist high (px 3.312, pz 3.877), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s first, second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Adam Hamari now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2*[3 AAA + 0 QOCU] = 7).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 9 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Calls = 9).
*Related Play: Replay Review & Late Slides, Too: Utley's Tejada Takeout, October 11, 2015

These are the 62nd and 63rd ejection reports of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 32nd player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Syndergaard's line was 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R.
This is the 25th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is New York's 3rd ejection of 2016, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, NYM 3; WAS 2; ATL 1; PHI 0).
This is Noah Syndergaard's first career MLB ejection.
This is Terry Collins' 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since May 14 (Carlos Torres; QOC = N [Foul/HBP]).
This is Adam Hamari's first ejection since August 23, 2015 (Adrian Beltre; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets, 5/28/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 061 - James Hoye (1; Alfredo Simon)

HP Umpire James Hoye ejected Reds P Alfredo Simon for throwing at Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Reds-Brewers game. With none out and none on, batter Anderson took two consecutive 0-0 pitches from Simon for a ball one and a hit-by-pitch, respectively. Replays indicate the first pitch, a 92-mph fastball, was located off the inner edge of home plate and thigh high (px -1.997, pz 2.499), and the second pitch, a 91-mph cutter, was located inside and head high (px -3.463, pz 4.946); Simon had previously been hit by an Anderson pitch, the third Red hit by the Brewers, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 2-1. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is James Hoye (92)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
James Hoye now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = -2).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has -1 points in Crew Division (-2 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = -1).

This is the 61st ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 31st player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Simon's line was 4.0 IP, ER, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB.
This is Cincinnati's 3rd ejection of 2016, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 5; CIN 3; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).
This is Alfredo Simon's first ejection since September 26, 2010 (Bill Welke; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is James Hoye's first ejection since August 23, 2015 (Yasiel Puig; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 5/28/16 | Video available via "Read more"

Injury - Mike DiMuro Leaves Canada on Foul Ball to Head

Umpire Mike DiMuro left Sunday's Red Sox-Blue Jays game after a foul ball to the facemask in the bottom of the second inning.

With two out and none on, Toronto batter Devon Travis fouled a fastball from Boston pitcher Rick Porcello back and into the center jaw and chin portion of DiMuro's traditional-style facemask, leading to an extended delay and discussion with Toronto training staff before DiMuro departed the matinee.

Umpires Nic Lentz (1B), Brian Gorman (2B), and Carlos Torres (3B) officiated the remainder of the game in a three-person alignment, as Gorman replaced DiMuro behind home plate. Quinn Wolcott, who was originally been scheduled to officiate the game after his plate performance on Friday, had been replaced by Torres, meaning this game ended with the exorbitantly rare circumstance of two Triple-A fill-in umpires on the bases. The nature of Wolcott's absence was not immediately apparent.

Joe Calls Interference Double Play out West

An interference-aided double play call by umpire Joe West helped Oakland escape a first-and-third jam in the top of the 5th inning of the Tigers-Athletics game, ending the frame as a Detroit batter's actions produced both the second and third outs of the inning.

Country Joe West explains his call to Kinsler.

With one out and two on (R1, R3), Tigers batter Victor Martinez hit a fly ball down the right field line and in foul territory, where it was caught by A's first baseman Yonder Alonso. In an effort to hold the runner at third (R3 Ian Kinsler), Alonso fired home to catcher Stephen Vogt as Martinez walked dejectedly from his batter's box back to Detroit's dugout. Replays indicate Alonso's throw subsequently hit Martinez's leg and caromed away from Vogt, and HP Umpire Joe West ruled Kinsler out as a result.

This is interference and was correctly officiated. Rule 6.01(a)(5) specifies this brand of interference: "Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate."

V-Mart pays no attention to the ball hitting him.

Reviewing this play, the batter hit a fly ball to the first baseman, who caught the air out, thus retiring the batter (putting him out). The first baseman then, in making a play on the runner at third, threw toward home plate, where the batter absentmindedly walked into the throw, and thus interfered with it.* Bear in mind that recently-put out interference 6.01(a)(5) does not require that the interference be intentional or deliberate: the burden or standard is lower and only requires that, first, the batter/runner has already been put out (or scored a run), and, second, he hinders or impedes a following play relative to another runner. Deflecting the course of a throw that otherwise meets the criteria constitutes such interference, and Umpire West properly declared R3 Kinsler out for the interference of teammate B1 Martinez.

*NOTE: The fielder made a play on the runner by keeping him at third. "Making a play on" may be confusing since the runner didn't get to home plate and wasn't tagged nor was there a tag attempt, so think of it in terms of, "Why did F3 throw to the catcher?" If the answer is, "Because of the runner at third," then he indeed has satisfied the "play being made on a runner" criterion. In other words, would he have thrown home had there been no runner at third base? Probably not.

Featured MiLB Ejection - Nestor Ceja (Phil Wellman)

Umpire Nestor Ceja ejected Phillip Wellman days after Joe Mikulik—Phil's minor league manager meltdown colleague (also a Double-A skipper in the Texas League)—erupted over Jeff Gorman's slide rule violation call at second base (see: MiLB Ejection - Jeff Gorman [Joe Mikulik]). The Ceja-Wellman reason for ejection? Also a slide interference double play call at second base.

At least it wasn't a 40-run game, which was the case in Lancaster Thursday night (29-11, Lancaster def. Stockton). Huge honorable mention to HP Umpire Takahito Matsuda and U1 Jesse Orozco, who had to keep up with that 3-hour, 50-minute madness.

Back to Texas...3B Umpire Nestor Ceja ejected Missions Manager Phillip Wellman for arguing a slide rule interference/double play call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Naturals-Missions game. With none out and one on (R1), Missions batter Jose Rondon bunted on the ground to Naturals catcher Cam Gallagher, who threw to shortstop Jack Lopez as Missions baserunner R1 Nelson Ward slid into second base. Replays (naturally) are unavailable, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Missions ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

Related Ejection: Phil Wellman goes nuts on plate umpire (and present Wendelstedt Chief of Instruction) Brent Rice over an ejection of Wellman's pitcher Kelvin Villa (6/1/2007)

Wrap: Northwest Arkansas Naturals vs. San Antonio Missions, 5/26/16 | Video via "Read more"

Injury - Chris Guccione Exits After Foul to Mask

Umpire Chris Guccione left Wednesday's ARI-PIT game after a foul ball to the facemask in the first inning.

With one out and the bases loaded, Pirates batter David Freese hit a 0-2 breaking ball from Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa into the center jaw and chin portion of Guccione's traditional-style facemask.

Umpires Sean Barber (1B), Alfonso Marquez (2B), and Larry Vanover (3B) officiated the remainder of the game in a three-person alignment, as Barber replaced Guccione behind home plate and Marquez covered first base. Triple-A fill-in Ben May was called up to officiate first base in Guccione's stead during Thursday's game.

MLB Ejection 060 - DJ Reyburn (1; Rick Schu)

HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected Nationals Hitting Coach Rick Schu for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Mets-Nationals game. With none out and none on, Nationals batter Chris Heisey took a 0-2 sinker from Mets pitcher Steven Matz for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the midpoint (px .685, pz 3.453 [sz_top 3.620]) and that all other pitches during the at bat had been properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection the Mets were leading, 1-0. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

This is DJ Reyburn (70)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
DJ Reyburn now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 12).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 11 points in Crew Division (10 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 11).

This is the 60th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is Washington's 2nd ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the NL East (MIA 3; NYM, WAS 2; ATL 1; PHI 0).
This is Rick Schu's first career MLB ejection.
This is DJ Reyburn's first ejection since August 2, 2015 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = U [Argued Ejection]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals, 5/25/16 | Video available via "Read more"

Featured MiLB Ejection - Jeff Gorman (Joe Mikulik)

Umpire Jeff Gorman's ejection of Frisco's Joe Mikulik, who put on another one of his act-like-a-five-year-old shows Tuesday night in the Double-A Texas League, is our featured Minor League ejection. It is also another opportunity to look at the bona fide slide rule (circa May 2016).

Mount Mikulik blew up again on Tuesday.

3B Umpire Jeff Gorman ejected RoughRiders Manager Joe Mikulik for arguing a middle-infielder interference double play call in the top of the 8th inning of the RoughRiders-Drillers game. With one out and two on (R1, R2), Frisco batter Kellin Deglan hit a 0-0 fastball from Drillers pitcher Caleb Dirks on the ground to second baseman Willie Calhoun, who threw to shortstop Brandon Trinkwon as RoughRiders baserunner R1 Zach Cone slid into Trinkwon, who attempted to throw onto first baseman Cody Bellinger. After conferring with 1B Umpire Lee Meyers, Gorman ruled R1 Cone and teammate BR Deglan out for Cone's interference. Replays indicate Cone's slide appeared bona fide and also show that he raised his right arm, but are inconclusive as to whether his actions constituted interference (mainly due to the camera leaving the action area during Cone's slide), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Drillers were leading, 3-0. The Drillers ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

Recall the four criteria of bona fide slide rule 6.01(j):
The runner attempting to break up a double play must engage in a bona fide slide:
1) Runner begins his slide and makes contact with the ground before reaching the base;
2) He is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;
3) He is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home) after completing the slide; and
4) He slides within reach without change of path to initiate contact with a fielder.

For this reason, we believe Cone's slide was bona fide (albeit without visual evidence that criterion #3 was satisfied), but cannot conclusively determine, given the mid-home camera angle shown (a reverse angle would have been useful), Cone's legality as relates to the "old" non-bona fide interference Rule 5.09(a)(13): "A preceding runner shall, in the umpire’s judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play."

Related Ejection: Ron Teague, 6/17/15 (Joe Mikulik).

Wrap: Frisco RoughRiders vs. Tulsa Drillers, 5/24/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 059 - Dana DeMuth (1; Colby Rasmus)

HP Umpire Dana DeMuth ejected Astros LF Colby Rasmus for arguing a strike two call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Orioles-Astros game. With one out and none on, Rasmus took a 3-1 fastball and, later, 3-2 knuckle curve from Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman for called second and third third strikes. Replays indicate the 3-1 pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate (px 1.306) while the 3-2 pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and navel high (px -.827, pz 3.116 [sz_top 3.510]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 13 innings.

This is Dana DeMuth (32)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Dana DeMuth now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Correct Call = -1).
Crew Chief Dana DeMuth now has -1 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -1).

This is the 59th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 30th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Rasmus was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is Houston's 3rd ejection of 2016, 2nd in the AL West (TEX 4; HOU 3; LAA 2; OAK, SEA 0).
This is Colby Rasmus' first ejection since August 26, 2015 (Sam Holbrook; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Dana DeMuth's first ejection since September 1, 2013 (Robin Ventura; QOC = Y-C [Catch/Drop]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros, 5/24/16 | Video available via "Read more"