MLB Ejection 040: John Hirschbeck (2; Todd Steverson)

HP Umpire John Hirschbeck ejected White Sox Hitting Coach Todd Steverson for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Reds-White Sox game. With two out and one on, White Sox batter Micah Johnson took a 1-2 fastball from Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.883, pz 3.269 [sz_top 3.220 / MOE 3.303]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 10-4.

This is John Hirschbeck (17)'s second ejection of 2015.
John Hirschbeck now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 9).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 8 points in Crew Division (7 Prev + 1 Correct Call = 8).
*This call is subject to both the Miller and Kulpa Rules (UEFL Rules 6-2-b-1 and 6-2-b-2).

This is the 40th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the White Sox's 3rd ejection of 2015, 2nd in the AL Central (KC 9; CWS 3; DET 1; CLE, MIN 0).
This is Todd Steverson's first career MLB ejection.
This is John Hirschbeck's first ejection since April 27, 2015 (Freddie Freeman; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox (Doubleheader Game 1), 5/9/15
Video: Steverson tossed between innings for arguing Hirscbheck's strike zone, Hawk laughs (CWS)

MLB Ejection 039: DJ Reyburn (1; Joe Maddon)

HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected Cubs Manager Joe Maddon for arguing a strike one call in the top of the 6th inning of the Cubs-Cardinals game. With none out and none on, Cubs batter Starlin Castro took a 1-0 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.514, pz 3.384 / sz_top 3.470), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 5-2. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

This is DJ Reyburn (70)'s first ejection of 2015.
DJ Reyburn now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 7 points in Crew Division (6 Prev + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 39th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 17th Manager ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season
This is the Cubs' 2nd ejection of 2015, T-1st in the NL Central (CHC, CIN, MIL 2; PIT 1; STL 0).
This is Joe Maddon's first ejection since April 17, 2015 (Sam Holbrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is DJ Reyburn's first ejection since June 22, 2014 (Ron Gardenhire; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 5/6/15
Video: Taking exception to a Reyburn's strike zone in the 6th, Maddon gets sent packing (CHC)

MLB Ejection 038: Chris Conroy (1; Joey Votto)

HP Umpire Chris Conroy ejected Reds 1B Joey Votto for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 3rd inning of the Reds-Pirates game. With two out and none on, Votto attempted to hit a 0-2 fastball from Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole, striking out on a foul tip. Replays indicate that following the strikeout, Votto threw his equipment before using profanity in words directed towards the dirt circle and/or Pirates dugout area where Cole was walking, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

This is Chris Conroy (98)'s first ejection of 2015.
Chris Conroy now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = 3).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Prev + 1 Irrecusable Call = 0).

This is the 38th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 19th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Votto was 0-2 in the contest.
This is the Reds' 2nd ejection of 2015, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, MIL 2; CHC, PIT 1; STL 0).
This is Joey Votto's first ejection since August 15, 2010 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Chris Conroy's first ejection since April 23, 2014 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/6/15
Video: A frustrated Votto gets kicked out and appears to charge at and bump umpire Conroy (CIN)

MLB Ejection 037: Bill Miller (1; Walt Weiss)

HP Umpire Bill Miller ejected Rockies Manager Walt Weiss for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Diamondbacks-Rockies game. With one out and none on, Rockies batter Jordan Lyles took a 0-2 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher Robbie Ray for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px -0.373, pz 3.409 [sz_top 3.420]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Bill Miller (26)'s first ejection of 2015.
Bill Miller now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Prev + 1 Correct Call = 2).
*This call is correct pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-4 pertaining to three-pitch strikeout at-bats.

This is the 37th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 16th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Rockies' 1st ejection of 2015, T-2nd in the NL West (SD 4; COL, LA, SF 1; ARI 0).
This is Walt Weiss' first ejection since June 12, 2014 (Jordan Baker; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).
This is Bill Miller's first ejection since August 10, 2014 (Brad Ausmus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies (Doubleheader Game 2), 5/6/15
Video: Following a strikeout to pitcher Lyles, Walt is tossed for arguing through a warning (COL)

Jays Appeal Punishment for Jacoby-Eddings Ump Shove

The case of Blue Jays coach Brook Jacoby shoving umpire Doug Eddings after a Blue Jays loss at Fenway Park has taken another turn as several sources confirmed that Toronto Manager John Gibbons was also involved in the bizarre postgame incident.

According to several sources, Blue Jays hitting coach Brook Jacoby received a 14-game suspension from MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre for allegedly shoving umpire Doug Eddings after the Blue Jays lost to the Red Sox by a 4-1 score on a called third strike to pinch hitter Russell Martin on April 29—one account states Jacoby had his hands up against Eddings' neck. Adrian Johnson was the plate umpire for that game.

Though the Blue Jays dispute the veracity of the "conduct [and contact] unbecoming" claim, sources say that Crew Chief Bill Miller's report is backed up by a Red Sox security official who was present at the time of the incident. Another source said a report filed by the Boston-area Resident Security Agent supports the umpires' position. RSAs are sworn officers hired by Major League Baseball to represent the interests of the Commissioner's Office at MLB stadiums. Sources say that Jays Bench Coach DeMarlo Hale pulled Jacoby away.

As the Blue Jays appeal Jacoby's suspension, sources also revealed that Jays Manager John Gibbons received a $5,000 fine for contributing to the incident in Boston. The report states that "baseball believed Gibbons’ comments set the tone for the heated exchange that was to follow in the hallways leading to the respective clubhouses for teams and umpires."

Newly-hired Assistant Hitting Coach Eric Owens filled in for the appealing Jacoby this week, pursuant to league protocol that bars suspended coaches from the playing field during games while their suspension is pending appeal.

Fenway Park protocol for visiting teams and umpires along the shared hallway to their respective locker rooms has also changed: Away clubs must now wait in the dugout until the last umpire has crossed the threshold into the officials' dressing room. This policy applies to other stadiums where a team and umpires share the same corridor, namely Wrigley Field and Toronto's own Rogers Centre.

Eddings has never ejected a Blue Jay during his MLB career.
Miller last ejected ex-Blue Jays Brett Lawrie and John Farrell on May 15, 2012, resulting in a four-game suspension for Lawrie after he threw his batting helmet into Miller.
Johnson ejected John Gibbons in 2008 for arguing a call at first base.
Jacoby's two career ejections were at the hands of Dale Ford (1987) and Greg Gibson (2009).

MLB Ejection 036: Paul Emmel (1; Don Mattingly)

1B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly for arguing a balk call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Dodgers-Brewers game. With two out and one on, and a 0-1 count to Brewers batter Carlos Gomez, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw attempted to pick off Brewers baserunner Kyle Lohse on a throw to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Replays indicate Kershaw appeared to motion towards home plate prior to throwing to first base, as in his natural pitch, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 1-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s first ejection of 2015.
Paul Emmel now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 10 points in Crew Division (9 Prev + 1 Correct Call = 10).
*Rule 8.05(a): It is a balk when "the pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery"

This is the 36th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 15th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Dodgers' first ejection of 2015, T-2nd in the NL West (SD 4; LA, SF 1; ARI, COL 0).
This is Don Mattingly's first ejection since September 7, 2014 (Scott Barry; QOC = U [Warnings]).
This is Paul Emmel's first ejection since August 24, 2014 (Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 5/4/15
Video: Kershaw's move to home before throwing to 1st is ruled a balk, Donny tossed (LAD)

MLB Replay Reviews, Week 4 (April 27 - May 3, 2015)

MLB umpires experienced 47 instant replay reviews during the week of April 27 - May 3 (-4 over prior week). Games played during this period featured the following MLB Replay Review decisions:

MLB Ejection 035: Andy Fletcher (1; Craig Gentry)

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected A's bench player Craig Gentry for arguing a strike three call to A's batter Sam Fuld in the top of the 4th inning of the A's-Rangers game. With two out and one on, Fuld took a 1-2 curveball from Rangers pitcher Yovani Gallardo for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh high (px -.824, pz 1.838 / sz_bot 1.5), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The A's ultimately won the contest, 7-1.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s first ejection of 2015.
Andy Fletcher now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 3).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Prev + 1 Correct Call = 2).

This is the 35th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 18th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Gentry did not participate in the game.
This is the Athletics' 2nd ejection of 2015, 1st in the AL West (OAK 2; HOU, LAA, SEA, TEX 1).
This is Craig Gentry's first career MLB ejection.
This is Andy Fletcher's first ejection since August 21, 2014 (Mike Scioscia; QOC = U [DiMuro]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers, 5/3/15
Video: Gentry objects to Fletcher's strike zone and is tossed in the middle of the fourth (N/A)