3B Umpire Gary Darling ejected Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire for arguing a runner placement call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Twins-Tigers game. With two out and one on, Tigers batter Alex Avila doubled on a 1-1 fastball from Twins pitcher Alex Burnett down the left field line, Tigers R1 Jhonny Peralta scored on spectator interference. Replays clearly indicate the mechanic for spectator interference was given, as the ball hit the hand of a fan reaching over the railing. Under MLB Rule 3.16, the ball becomes dead at the moment of interference. The placement of the runners (R1 Peralta scoring) was appropriate under Rule 3.16, which gives umpires the discretion to impose penalties in their opinion that nullify the interference, the call was correct.* The call is now inconclusive.* At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 6-5. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 6-5.
This is Gary Darling (37)'s second ejection of 2011.
Gary Darling now has 8 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Gary Darling was not drafted in 2011.
*Quality of Correctness was challenged, deferred, and reverted ("Correct" ==> "Inconclusive" ==> "Correct").
This is the 59th ejection of 2011.
This is the 33rd manager ejection of 2011.
This is the 59th ejection of 2011.
This is the 33rd manager ejection of 2011.
This is Ron Gardenhire's fourth ejection of 2011.
Video (1): Gardenhire is tossed by Darling
Video (2): Alternative Broadcast (Actual Ejection)
Video (3): Must C: Curious
