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"

MLB Ejections 057|8 - Vanover (1|2; Caminero, Hurdle)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Pirates P Arquimedes Caminero and Manager Clint Hurdle for throwing at Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed in the top of the 8th inning of the Diamondbacks-Pirates game. With two out and two on, Diamondbacks batter Nick Ahmed took a 1-2 splitter from Caminero for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and head high (px -2.182, pz 4.382) and warnings had previously been issued and Ahmed was the third hit batsman of the game (Caminero's second), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 12-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 12-1.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s first, second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Larry Vanover now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 6).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 3 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Calls = 3).

This is the 57th, 58th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 29th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Caminero's line was 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER.
This is the 24th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Pittsburgh's 4/5th ejection of 2016, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 5; CIN 2; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).
This is Arquimedes Caminero's first career MLB ejection.
This is Clint Hurdle's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since May 11 (Jeff Kellogg; QOC = U [Replay Review]).
This is Larry Vanover's first ejection since June 25, 2015 (Terry Collins; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/24/16 | Video available via "Read more"

Tmac's Teachable Moments - Rotating into Position

Tmac is back with a rotation play from Monday night's all-Florida affair between Tampa and Miami.

Umpire Barksdale moves in close to make a call.

In this situation, we have a fly ball to the outfield with one out and a runner on first. Upon reading the hit to deep left field, the 3B Umpire goes out to see the possible catch/no catch, HR or a ball bouncing out of play—whether going out five feet or 50, he makes clear to his crew that he has gone out and left the infield, leaving third base uncovered, as in traditional three-man, prompting HP Umpire Lance Barksdale to rotate to 3rd and the 1B Umpire Jim Wolf to cover home plate (U2 stays put). The rotation is flawless. What makes this play a teachable moment is how well Barksdale alters his position as the play develops. You can see Barksdale at the :15 second mark in the video read that he has one possible play: a following throw from the catcher to the third baseman on the runner. Many umpires take this play in a position that is impossible to see, but Barksdale gets into what I like to call the Keyhole.... And i can tell you there isn't a lot of room to see this play.... You obviously can't take the play from the coaches box or even with the bag so he rotates to the only place he can—about 3 feet beyond the bag in fair territory.

What makes this play different from taking a steal play in fair territory is his starting position as the play develops is around the bag. If you don't read a steal (of third base) properly and take it from fair from 20+ feet deep and in fair territory you're in a very bad position. If you are in tune with the game you may be able to get into Lance's position for a steal but you have to really be paying attention and not be scared to be closer than normal to the third base bag. This would be adjusting your positioning for a potential play. This type of thing separates good umpires from great umpires from elite umpires.

Barksdale continues moving to gain position.

Back to the play at hand you notice at :17 seconds Barksdale is developing his read of what is about to happen in less then a second. He leans in gets his perfect read and makes the confident correct call. He even clears some dirt from in front of the base as he leaves. The replays all prove to be inconclusive and the announcers briefly think he may be safe until we see the definitive angle at 1:53. Barksdale finds the keyhole standing with one foot fair and the other foul but the perfect lean and angle to see he was tagged on the elbow about four inches from the bag. To a professional like Barksdale, this looked like a piece of cake. He may even tell you he didn't think it was that close. What we learn here is not to be afraid to move as the play is developing. Don't be an observer, be an Umpire! The bottom line is excellent calls come from excellent positioning and this is TEXTBOOK! Well Done!

Injury - Jeff Nelson Leaves When Dirt Launches Into Eye

Umpire Jeff Nelson received a direct deflection of dirt into his eyes during Monday's Rockies-Pirates game, resulting in his early departure from the contest just innings after Pirates starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong left the game upon taking a pitched ball to the head.

With one out and two on in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Pirates baserunner R3 Francisco Cervelli attempted to score on an infield ground ball, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado throwing to catcher Tony Wolters as Cervelli slid feet-first toward home plate. Replays indicate that as Nelson positioned himself to receive the play, dirt from Cervelli's slide kicked up and into the crew chief's eyes, causing a temporary halt of play, but not before Nelson called Cervelli out on the tag.

Umpires Ben May (1B), Cory Blaser (2B), and Doug Eddings (3B) officiated the remainder of the game in a three-person alignment, Blaser and Eddings manning the bases as May moved to the home plate position.

Baez Out of Base Path in Rare Runner's Lane Appearance

1B Umpire Dana DeMuth's out of the base path call in San Francisco during Sunday night's Cubs-Giants game led to a Joe Maddon argument and bafflement amongst broadcasting analysts Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone (we'll give Dan Shulman, as the play-by-play man, benefit of the doubt).

As for Aaron Boone, yes, that would be the same "10% Boone" who scored just one-out-of-10 on ESPN's 2013 10-question baseball rules quiz. In what should come as a surprise to no one, the media cohort produced the lowest aggregate knowledgeability score of the three in-the-business groups tested (Managers/Coaches: 66%, Players: 55%, Media: 44%, Fans: 37%, [UEFL: 100%]).

With none out and none on in the top of the 8th inning, Cubs batter Javier Baez bunted a fair ball to Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, who attempted to tag Baez as he ran down the first base line, prompting Baez to run to his left in an effort to avoid the tag before sliding into first base as DeMuth ruled Baez out for running outside of his base path.

(Spoiler: The call was correct). As we reviewed nary one week ago, Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1) governs this sort of play and clearly delineates the parameters under which a runner may be ruled out: "He runs more than three feet away from his base path to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. 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." (Obligatory reminder: It's a base PATH, not a base LINE).

Photo 1: Baez at the time of the tag attempt.

Replays indicate Belt's tag attempt occurred while Baez's left foot was in contact with the grass portion of the infield to the left of (inside of) the runner's lane and in fair territory and his right foot was in the air. Replays indicate that in attempting to avoid this tag, Baez ran across the runner's lane, so that his left foot came into contact with the dirt to the right of (outside of) the runner's lane and in foul territory with his right foot similarly positioned in the air.

Hence, replays conclusively show that, at minimum, B1 Baez fully crossed over from his position fully inside the runner's lane to a position fully outside of the runner's lane during his attempt to avoid being tagged by F3 Belt.

Photo 2: Baez at his farthest avoidance spot.

This falls amongst the rarest of out-of-the-base-path calls wherein the actual painted lines on the playing field—namely, the runner's lane—provide a concrete visual reference point as to judge whether Baez ran more than three feet away from his base path to avoid the tag. Since the runner's lane is exactly three feet in width, and Baez fully traversed the lane so that he was completely inside (to the left of) it when the base path was established, and fully outside (to the right of) while completing his avoidance maneuver, we can conclusively decree that Baez ran more than three feet away from his base path to avoid being tagged and, thus, U1 DeMuth's out-of-base-path call was correct.

One point of contention may be that while Baez's feet were decisively inside or outside of the three-foot line, his body remained over the lane. Rule 5.09(a)(11) Comment tells us why this claim is irrelevant in determining a runner's position: "The lines marking the three-foot lane are a part of that lane and a batter-runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot lane or on the lines marking the lane," while Wendelstedt prefers a center-of-gravity approach. If position is judged by the location of the runner's feet, and not by the body, because the feet were at one point fully inside and at another point fully outside of the lane, and not touching its lines, Baez did indeed run more than three feet away from his base path in an attempt to avoid being tagged. Had he dragged his skate along the blue line until the puck entered the zone, he would have been onside (sorry, hockey philosophy just mirrors baseball's in this situation). If center-of-mass is a consideration, we have a grass-to-outer-lane-line situation, which also appears to be >3ft.

Final ironic thought: Had Baez stayed within his runner's lane from the get-go, and then attempted to avoid the tag by similarly running to his position as indicated by Photo #2, he likely would have been ruled safe for the missed tag, and not out for having run more than three feet away from his base path.

Injury - David Rackley Knocked Out on Foul to Groin

Umpire David Rackley was injured on a foul ball to the groin, leaving Sunday's Dodgers-Padres in the 5th inning of what would later become a marathon 17-inning affair.

With none out and none on in the top of the 5th inning, Dodgers batter Joc Pederson bunted a 91-mph fastball from Padres pitcher Colin Rea behind home plate, whereupon the ball struck Rackley in the lower groin.

Umpires Larry Vanover (1B), Alfonso Marquez (2B), and Chris Guccione (3B) officiated the remainder of the 5-hour, 47-minute contest in a three-person alignment, Vanover and Guccione manning the bases as Marquez served as home plate umpire for the game's remaining 12 innings.

Rackley will be reevaluated before the Vanover crew's next game on Tuesday.

MLB Ejection 056 - Joe West (2; John Gibbons)

1B Umpire Joe West ejected Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons for arguing warnings/ejection no-call by HP Umpire Mark Ripperger in the top of the 5th inning  of the Blue Jays-Twins game. With none out and none on, Blue Jays batter Josh Donaldson took two consecutive fastballs from Twins pitcher Phil Hughes for called first and second balls. Replays indicate both pitches were located inside and belt high, including a pitch caught behind Donaldson's back (Pitch #1: px -2.808, pz 3.009; Pitch #2: px -3.88, pz 3.142), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 3-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Joe West (22)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Joe West now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call-C = 6).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call-Crewmate = 5).
*Related ejection: E-053 - Toby Basner (1; Josh Donaldson), 5/21/16

This is the 56th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 23rd Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Toronto's 10th ejection of 2016, 1st in MLB & AL East (TOR 10; BOS 4; BAL, NYY, TB 1).
This is John Gibbon's MLB-leading 4th ejection of 2016, 1st since 5/16 (Mike Winters; QOCY [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Joe West's first ejection since May 15, 2016 (Brock Holt; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins, 5/22/16 | Video available via "Read more"