Rules Review - Running into the Wrong Fielder

We discussed obstruction, now let's talk about interference on a batted ball. This weekend's play took place Saturday in Cleveland with Tom Hallion's crew presiding, but first let's put obstruction to bed.

U3 Hallion explains his call to Terry Francona.

Case Play 2016-5 concerned a potential obstruction play, correctly no-called as the runner was retired before obstruction took place, while Case Play 2014-4 concerned obstruction on the batter-runner during a batted ball situation when two defensive players converged to try and field the same batted ball; when the batter-runner ran into one of those players, HP Umpire Greg Gibson properly ruled obstruction (Type 1/A) and awarded the batter-runner first base as a penalty.

Analysis of the 2014 obstruction play in Anaheim concerned Official Baseball Rule 6.09(a)(10) [then-7.09(j)], which addresses interference, not obstruction, though its interpretation is relevant to obstruction.

OBR 6.09(a)(10) states that interference occurs when [the batter or runner] "fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball."

Only one fielder is entitled to protection.

The portion of this rule relevant to obstruction is that only one fielder is entitled to protection via 6.09(a)(10): Only one fielder may be judged, so to speak, to be "the act of fielding." For this reason, the Anaheim play was properly ruled obstruction. In Anaheim, umpire Gibson ruled the pitcher was entitled to protection, meaning that the unprotected first baseman illegally impeded the batter-runner's progress by standing directly between the runner and the base he was trying to achieve.

Earlier this week, in Chicago, for instance, 1B Umpire Vic Carapazza ruled the first baseman was entitled to protection, meaning that the unprotected pitcher illegally impeded the batter-runner's progress.

The Anaheim and Chicago plays set up a wonderful compare-and-contrast model for Saturday's interference play in Cleveland. With none out and runners at first and second base, Indians batter Carlos Santana hit a ground ball between shortstop and third base. Replays indicate that as Yankees third baseman Chase Headley and shortstop Didi Gregorius both charged in to field the slow chopper, Headley collided with baserunner R2 Francisco Lindor, who himself was trying to achieve third base. 2B Umpire Dan Bellino and 3B Umpire Tom Hallion immediately signaled the play dead and Lindor out for Rule 6.09(a)(10) interference, awarding Santana first base and forcing R1 Mike Napoli to occupy second.

Diagram: The players run along the infield.

The penalty for unintentional interference as a result of 6.09(a)(10) is: "If the batter-runner is adjudged not to have hindered a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball, and if the base runner’s interference is adjudged not to be intentional, the batter-runner shall be awarded first base."

It all comes down to umpire judgment: Both U2 Bellino and U3 Hallion believed that of 3B Headley and SS Gregorius, it was 3B Headley—not Gregorius—who was entitled to protection via 6.09(a)(10). In other words, both umpires believed that F5 Headley was best posited to make a play on the batted ball, meaning that Lindor's contact with Headley while Headley attempted to field the batted ball was in violation of Rule 6.09(a)(10) and, thus, offensive interference.

SIDEBAR: Had the umpires ruled that F6 Gregorius—not Headley—was entitled to 6.09(a)(10) protection, they may have ruled the play obstruction (TYPE 2 / TYPE B, as no play was being made on the runner), and protected R2 Lindor to third base, most likely resulting in a bases-loaded situation when Gregorius fumbled the grounder. Conversely, if Headley was protected but Gregorius was not, and Lindor had run into Gregorius, that too would be eligible for obstruction.

Video: Runner plows into third baseman attempting to field batted ball; INT ruled ("Read more")

Case Play 2016-5 - Pitcher and Catcher Collab [Solved]

A pitcher, catcher and runner all descended on a three square-foot area at home plate on Monday, leading to HP Umpire Manny Gonzalez's out call on a unique bases-loaded force play.

Is this obstruction? Why or why not?

Play: With one out and three on (R1, R2, R3) in the top of the 7th inning of the July 4 Athletics-Twins game, A's batter Jake Smolinski hit a ground ball to Twins pitcher Taylor Rogers, who charged in toward home plate while fielding the batted ball, but fumbled the ensuing transfer to his bare hand. Fortuitously for Minnesota, the ball then bounced directly to catcher Juan Centeno, who was lying with his right foot in contact with home plate ahead of A's baserunner R3 Khris Davis' arrival from third base; Replays indicate R3 Davis had to run around F1 Rogers in order to touch home plate. The force out was accordingly scored 1-2.

Case Play Question: Is this the proper result (R3 out) or should obstruction have been ruled? Why or why not? If this isn't obstruction, what circumstance(s), if different, would have satisfied the obstruction criteria?

Case Play 2014-4: Batter-Runner Obstruction, in which HP Umpire Greg Gibson ruled obstruction when two A's fielders came together on a weakly hit ball up the line as an Angels batter ran to first base, may prove relevant to your explanation.

Relevant Rules: 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 relevant penalty is Rule 6.01(h)(1). ["If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter-runner is obstructed before he touches first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance, without liability to be put out, to the bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, if there had been no obstruction. The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base he had last legally touched before the obstruction. Any preceding runners, forced to advance by the award of bases as the penalty for obstruction, shall advance without liability to be put out."]

Case Play Solution: As many have stated below, Gonzalez properly ruled R3 out on the force play; this is not obstruction. However, this would have been obstruction had the runner not been forced to home plate. The reason for this is timing, as replays indicate that the out was recorded at home plate (F2 tagged home plate while holding the ball) prior to F1's impedence of R3's progress. Since the out preceded the obstruction, the runner was out—and ineligible to benefit from an obstruction ruling—prior to the pitcher's violative act.

Had R3 not been put out before F1 impeded his progress (if F2 never touched home plate or it wasn't a force play), the proper call would have been obstruction (Type 1 [Type A]) and R3 would have been awarded home plate.

Also noteworthy: The home plate collision/blocking rule does not apply to force plays. Thank goodness.

Video: Weakly hit ground ball is half-fielded and half-deflected back home for an out ("Read more")

MLB Ejections 104|105 - Quinn Wolcott (1|2; Bochy, Hale)

HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Giants Manager Bruce Bochy for arguing warnings/ejection no-call in the bottom of the 2nd and Diamondbacks Manager Chip Hale for arguing a ball three call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Diamondbacks-Giants game. In the 2nd, with none out and none on, Giants batter Buster Posey took multiple pitches inside, culminating in a 2-0 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin for a called third ball. Replays indicate the 1-0 pitch was located thigh high and 22.8 inches inside (px -2.736, pz 2.493) while the 2-0 pitch was located elbow high and thrown behind Posey and 32.2 inches inside (px -3.514, pz 3.514), resulting in warnings; Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija previously hit D-Backs batter Jean Segura, the call was irrecusable. In the 5th, with two out and the bases loaded, Giants batter Grant Green took a 3-2 fastball from Corbin for a called third ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px .285, pz 1.697 [sz_bot 1.650 / MOE 1.733]), the call was correct. At the time of Bochy's ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 2-0. At the time of Hale's ejection, the Giants were leading, 5-2. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

This is Quinn Wolcott (81)'s first, second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Quinn Wolcott now has 14 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Prev + 2*[2 MLB] + 0 QOCU + 2 QOCY = 14).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 8 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Irrecusable + 1 Correct = 8).

This is the 104th, 105th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 43rd, 44th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is San Francisco's 1st ejection of 2016, 5th in the NL West (ARI, LAD 4; SD 3; COL 2; SF 1).
This is Arizona's 4th ejection of 2016, T-1st in the NL West (ARI, LAD 4; SD 3; COL 2; SF 1).
This is Bruce Bochy's first ejection since September 2, 2015 (Mike Winters; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Chip Hale's 3rd ejection of 2016, 1st since July 2 (Brian Knight; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Quinn Wolcott's first ejection since August 21, 2015 (Lloyd McClendon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants, 7/8/16 | Video available via "Read more"

2016 MLB All-Star Game Umpires

Umpires for the 2016 MLB All-Star Game at San Diego's Petco Park have been announced. The umpires are:

Home Game: Mike Winters is from Oceanside.

HP Umpire Mike Winters (crew chief): 4th All-Star Game.
1B Umpire Kerwin Danley: 2nd All-Star Game.
2B Umpire Marty Foster: 2nd All-Star Game
3B Umpire Bill Welke: 2nd All-Star Game.
LF Umpire Adrian Johnson: 1st All-Star Game.
RF Umpire Dan Bellino: 1st All-Star Game.
Replay Official Sam Holbrook: 1st ASG as Replay, 2nd overall.

League Rank, Replay Review Affirmation Percentage (RAP):
Mike Winters = T-36th (.556)
Kerwin Danley = T-57th (.444)
Bill Welke = T-43rd (.500)
Marty Foster = T-43rd (.500)
Adrian Johnson = T-25th (.600)
Dan Bellino = T-43rd (.500)
Sam Holbrook = T-66th (.333)

Pursuant to UEFL Rule 2-2-a, all All-Star Game umpires will receive one League point for appearing in the contest (two for the crew chief). No points are awarded to the Replay Official (must "appear in that game").

MiLB Triple-A All-Star Game Umpires:
HP Umpire: Sean Barber.
1B Umpire: Seth Buckminster.
2B Umpire: Carlos Torres.
3B Umpire: Tom Woodring.

MiLB All-Star Futures Game Umpires:
HP Umpire: Nestor Ceja (Texas League).
1B Umpire: Adam Beck (Southern League).
2B Umpire: Brennan Miller (Southern League).
3B Umpire: Charlie Ramos (Eastern League).

Report - Nats GM Rizzo Confronts Jim Joyce After Game

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo confronted umpire Jim Joyce after Thursday's game in New York and Joyce's ninth-inning slide rule interference ruling against Washington, DC. According to New York Daily News' Christian Red, Rizzo entered into a verbal altercation with Joyce over the play after the game's conclusion, in which New York prevailed with a 9-7 victory.

With none out and one on (R1) in the top of the 9th inning, Nationals batter Daniel Murphy hit a ground ball to Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who threw to second baseman Neil Walker as Nationals baserunner R1 Jayson Werth slid toward second base, and onto first base, albeit after Murphy's arrival. However, 2B Umpire Joyce ruled Werth had violated Official Baseball Rule 6.01(j) concerning bona fide slides, and Murphy was declared out for the actions of teammate Werth. Upon Replay Review as the result of a Nationals challenge, Joyce's call—and the double play—stood. Replays indicate Werth was unable to remain on the base after his slide, which is a violation of the bona fide slide rule, Joyce's call was correct.

Refresher: The four criteria of a bona fide slide are:
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.

This reportedly isn't Rizzo's first argument with umpires at Citi Field, and MLB may review the incident.

MLB Ejection 103 - DJ Reyburn (2; Coco Crisp)

HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected A's CF Coco Crisp for arguing a strike two call in the top of the 5th inning of the A's-Astros game. With two out and one on, Crisp took a 0-1 curveball from Astros pitcher Doug Fister for a called second strike before striking out swinging one pitch later. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -.246, pz 1.375 [sz_bot 1.500 / MOE 1.417]), the call was incorrect. Reason for Ejection reviewed and affirmed by UEFL Appeals Board as Balls/Strikes. At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 2-1. The A's ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is DJ Reyburn (70)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
DJ Reyburn now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (10 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect = 8).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

This is the 103rd ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 50th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Crisp was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is Oakland's 1st ejection of 2016, T-5th in the AL West (HOU, TEX 4; LAA 3; OAK, SEA 1).
This is Coco Crisp's first ejection since June 23, 2012 (Tony Randazzo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is DJ Reyburn's first ejection since May 25, 2016 (Rick Schu; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros, 7/7/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 102 - Pat Hoberg (1; Dave Roberts)

HP Umpire Pat Hoberg ejected Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts for arguing a strike one call in the bottom of the 14th inning of the Orioles-Dodgers game. With one out and two on, Dodgers batter Howie Kendrick took a 0-0 fastball from Orioles pitcher Zach Britton for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -.419, pz 1.443 [sz_bot 1.460 / MOE 1.377]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 6-4. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 6-4, in 14 innings.

This is Pat Hoberg (31)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Pat Hoberg now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Mark Carlson now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

This is the 102nd ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 42nd Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Los Angeles' 4th ejection of 2016, 1st in the NL West (LAD 4; ARI, SD 3; COL 2; SF 0).
This is Dave Roberts' 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since April 8 (Jeff Kellogg; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Pat Hoberg's first ejection since July 8, 2015 (Mike Matheny; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7/6/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 101 - Tim Timmons (2; Miguel Cabrera)

1B Umpire Tim Timmons ejected Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera for arguing a foul ball no-call by HP Umpire Jordan Baker in the top of the 6th inning of the Tigers-Indians game. With one out and one on, Cabrera hit a 3-1 fastball from Indians pitcher DJ Carrasco on the ground to third baseman Jose Ramirez, who threw to second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Mike Napoli while Cabrera did not leave the batter's box. Replays indicate that after hitting Cabrera's bat, the baseball appeared to strike Cabrera's shin before caroming into fair territory and toward Ramirez, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 7-0.

This is Tim Timmons (95)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Tim Timmons now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB - 2 QOCN-Crewmate = 4).
Crew Chief Mike Everitt now has 6 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 6).

This is the 101st ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 49th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Cabrera was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is Detroit's 5th ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the AL Central (CWS 6; DET, MIN 5; KC 4; CLE 1).
This is Miguel Cabrera's first ejection since Sept 2, 2015 (Gary Cederstrom; QOC = Y-C [Ball/Strikes]).
This is Tim Timmons' first ejection since June 28, 2016 (Edinson Volquez; QOC = U [Time Call]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians, 7/5/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 100 - Jerry Meals (2; Joe Maddon)

HP Umpire Jerry Meals ejected Cubs Manager Joe Maddon for arguing a strike one call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Reds-Cubs game. With two out and one on, Cubs batter David Ross took a 3-0 sinker from Reds pitcher Brandon Finnegan for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -.823, pz 1.469 [sz_bot 1.660 / MOE 1.577]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 4-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 9-5.

This is Jerry Meals (41)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Jerry Meals now has -8 points in the UEFL Standings (-6 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect = -8).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has -6 points in Crew Division (-6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -6).

This is the 100th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 41st Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Chicago's 3rd ejection of 2016, 3rd in the NL Central (PIT 10; CIN 5; CHC 3; STL 1; MIL 0).
This is Joe Maddon's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since June 5 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = N [Check Swing]).
This is Jerry Meals' first ejection since June 14, 2016 (Jake Odorizzi; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 7/5/16 | Video available via "Read more"

2016 Replay Review All-Stars - As Ranked by RAP

As the All-Star Break looms, here are the umpires with greatest Replay Review accuracy for the first half of the 2016 season. We call them the "Replay Review All-Stars" for the reason that their placement on this fictional ASG crew is solely based on their accuracy in Replay Reviews during the season's first half.

The math: We selected the League's top eight umpires, as ranked by Replay Affirmation Percentage (RAP), to fill six on-field and two off-field positions and roles for the Replay Review All-Star Crew. The selection criteria is as follows: 1) All umpires selected to the Crew must be full-time MLB at the time of selection; 2) The umpire assigned to home plate must be a full-time regular season crew chief; 3) Replay sample size must be at least three.

2016 Replay Review All-Star Umpire Crew:
HP: Tom Hallion -cc (4th overall, .889)
1B: David Rackley, 1.000 (4/4).
2B: Scott Barry, 1.000 (3/3).
3B: Quinn Wolcott, .900 (9/10).
LF: DJ Reyburn, .750 (9/12).
RF: Jerry Layne, .750 (6/8).
Replay Official: Dana DeMuth, .714 (5/7).
Replay Assistant: Ted Barrett, .700 (7/10).
*Adam Hamari (.714) & Carlos Torres (.700) did not qualify, pursuant to criterion (1) re: AAA/MLB status.

A final note: This is, obviously, not the 2016 All-Star GAME crew. That roster is yet to come; stay tuned!

Batting Out of Turn in DC Erases Brewers Single in 1st

Nationals Manager Dusty Baker caught the Brewers batting out of order in the 1st inning of the July 4 Brewers-Nationals game in Washington, DC, helping his team end the frame without giving up a hit. With two out in the top of the 1st, Brewers batter Ryan Braun stepped to the plate as hitter #3 on the day and hit a single to center field to seemingly bring Jonathan Lucroy to the plate.

On appeal, umpires review the lineup cards.

Instead, Nats skipper Dusty Baker met with HP Umpire Cory Blaser and Crew Chief Jeff Nelson, appealing to the umpires that the Brewers had batted out of turn and alleging that Lucroy should have hit in the third spot, not Braun.

After consultation with crewmates Greg Gibson and Nic Lentz, and a review of Blaser's lineup cards, the umpires agreed and declared Lucroy out for failing to bat in his proper spot: Lucroy should have hit third, meaning that Braun should have hit fourth.

Official Baseball Rule 6.03(b) (formerly OBR 6.07) concerns Batting Out of Turn, and states:

(1) A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when he fails to bat in his proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat in his place. 

(3) When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before the first pitch to the next batter of either team, or before any play or attempted play, the umpire shall (1) declare the proper batter out; and (2) nullify any advance or score made because of a ball batted by the improper batter or because of the improper batter's advance to first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise.

Accordingly, Baker wisely waited for improper batter Braun to hit a single before lodging his appeal, leading the umpires to declare the proper batter Lucroy out for the final out of the first inning. Braun then led off the top of the 2nd inning for Milwaukee. Had Baker appealed while Braun was still improperly at the plate, the Brewers could have inserted Lucroy into his rightful place without penalty.

UIC Cory Blaser shows Braun the lineup card.

Batting out of turn, on appeal, is one of the reasons a Crew Chief may communicate with the Replay Official, as in regulation II.J.6 ("determining, after appeal, whether a batter fails to bat in his proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat in his place, in violation of Official Baseball Rule 6.03(b) [formerly Rule 6.07]"). This is not to be considered a Replay Review, but merely a "BOO/rules check." Similarly, this is the first appealed/out batting out of order communication with Replay HQ since expanded replay was introduced in 2014.

Overall, this is the first successful batting out of order appeal since July 7, 2013, when Tony Randazzo ruled Pablo Sandoval out in the 1st inning of the Dodgers-Giants game. After improper batter Buster Posey lined an RBI double to right field, Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly approached Brian Gorman and his crew to appeal that Sandoval had failed to bat in his proper turn, leading to Sandoval being declared out, Posey's RBI double to be nullified, and the resumption of play with the proper batter following Sandoval at the plate, which happened to be Posey. Posey then flew out to end the inning.

MLB Ejection 099 - Sam Holbrook (1; Clint Hurdle)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for arguing a ball two call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Pirates-A's game. With one out and one on (R3), A's batter Jake Smolinski took a 1-0 fastball from Pirates pitcher A.J. Schugel for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and thigh high (px -1.194, pz 1.873) and that all pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 4-3. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Sam Holbrook now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 3).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has -4 points in Crew Division (-5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = -4).

This is the 99th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 40th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Pittsburgh's 10th ejection of 2016, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 10; CIN 5; CHC 2; STL 1; MIL 0).
This is Clint Hurdle's 4th ejection of 2016, 1st since June 28 (Ben May; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Sam Holbrook's first ejection since August 26, 2015 (Colby Rasmus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Oakland Athletics, 7/3/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 098 - Ryan Blakney (1; AJ Hinch)

HP Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected Astros Manager AJ Hinch for arguing warnings/ejection no-call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the White Sox-Astros game. With two out and none on, Astros batter Evan Gattis took a 1-0 fastball from White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and thrown behind Gattis after White Sox batter Jose Abreu was hit by a pitch the previous half-inning, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-1. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Ryan Blakney (36)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Ryan Blakney now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 3 AAA + 0 Irrecusable = 4).
Crew Chief Mike Everitt now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 6).

This is the 98th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 39th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Houston's 4th ejection of 2016, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, TEX 4; LAA 3; SEA 1; OAK 0).
This is AJ Hinch's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since May 7 (Ben May; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Ryan Blakney's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros, 7/3/16 | Video available via "Read more"