HP Umpire Jeff Nelson ejected Astros center fielder Michael Bourn for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning and Astros Manager Brad Mills for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 6th inning of the Astros-Dodgers game. With two out and none on, Bourn took a 2-2 sinker from Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda for a called strike three. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and borderline on the inside corner, the call was correct.* Mills was ejected an inning later arguing the same call; Mills' ejection is not eligible for a Post Inning Exemption as it occurred at least one half inning after the questioned call; therefore, the reason is Unsportsmanlike-NEC and the QOC is correct.** At the time of both ejections, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 1-0.
These are Jeff Nelson (45)'s first and second ejections of 2011.
Jeff Nelson now has 8 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Jeff Nelson is owned as a Secondary Umpire by
spence1222, who is now tied for 21st place in the UEFL with 6 points.
*This call is correct under UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.a.
**This call is correct under UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e.
These are the 79th and 80th ejections of 2011.
This is the 35th player ejection of 2011.
This is the 43rd Manager ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Bourn was 0-3 in the contest.
This is Brad Mills' third ejection of 2011.
Wrap:
HOU @ LAD 6/19/11 Wrap
Video (1):
Bourn Ejected by Nelson
Video (2):
Mills' Ejection
Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball
Pitch #5: px = 0.92 => Borderline => Correct
Brooks shows the Bourn pitch to be incorrect, but the Gameday plot at MLB.com showed it to be on the corner. On the MLB.com LIVE Look in, Vin Sculley speculated that Mills was still upset at Bourn's ejection and had been chirping. This can't be reason for ejection, I guess since it's an inning later. I can't wait to see the video, I can only imagine. Nelson is usually very good.
ReplyDeleteMills probably knows his job is on the line if they don't improve,so he might be trying to get things going.
ReplyDeleteVids are up here:
ReplyDeletehttp://houston.astros.mlb.com/search/media.jsp?game_pk=287982
Bourn looked at a pitch that was way too close to take with two strikes.
ReplyDeleteAnd what kind of jerks(Bourn and Mills)argue with Jeff Nelson on Father's Day when everyone is wearing blue ribbons and wrist bands for male cancer awareness. The irony is rich on this one.