MLB Ejection 094: Laz Diaz (1; Bud Black)

2B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Padres Manager Bud Black for arguing an obstruction call in the top of the 7th inning of the Giants-Padres game. With one out and two on, Padres batter Andres Torres took a 0-0 fastball from Padres pitcher Brad Brach for ball one, a pitch that got away from Padres catcher Nick Hundley as

Diaz attempts to explain obstruction and the definition
of "base path" to a thoroughly confused Padres team.

Giants baserunner R1 Brandon Crawford attempted to advance from first base, unaware that baserunner R2 Kensuke Tanaka was holding at second. After Hundley recovered the ball, he threw to Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, who threw to third baseman Chase Headley, generating a rundown of Tanaka. Replays indicate that after Headley released the ball to second baseman Jedd Gyorko, Headley made contact with Tanaka, who had turned and was attempting to advance towards third base, the resulting contact impeding Tanaka's ability to run the bases, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 6-1. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 10-1.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s first ejection of 2013.
Laz Diaz now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).
*This is 7.06(a) [Type A] obstruction as a play was being made on an obstructed runner. Pursuant to Rule 2.00 [OBS], obstruction "is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner." The "base path" rule (7.08(a)(1)) does not apply here as Tanaka did not deviate greater than three feet away from his base path to avoid being tagged, as Headley did not attempt a tag prior to releasing the ball. Pursuant to 7.08(a)(1): "A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely." With no tag attempt, there can be no violation of Rule 7.08(a)(1) and no out of the base path call. There is no such thing as an "out of the baseline call." R2 was properly awarded third base.

This is the 94th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 44th Manager ejection of 2013.
This the Padres' 3rd ejection of 2013, 4th in the NL West (LAD 8; ARI 7; SF 4; SD 3; COL 2).
This is Bud Black's 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since June 5, 2013 (Tim Timmons; QOC = N).
This is Laz Diaz's first ejection since July 23, 2012 (Fredi Gonzalez; QOC = N).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 7/12/13
Video: After Headley runs over Tanaka, resulting in an obstruction call, Black argues and is tossed (SD)
Video: In his post-game presser, Black says "The runner on the grass seemed awkward to me" (3:30)