MLB Ejection 51 - Roberto Ortiz (1; Bryce Harper)

1B Umpire Roberto Ortiz ejected Phillies RF Bryce Harper (foul ball call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Phillies-#Mets game. With two out and none on, Harper hit a 0-0 curveball from Mets pitcher Seth Lugo on the ground down the first base line, ruled a foul ball by 1B Umpire Ortiz, before grounding out to end the inning on the next pitch. Replays indicate the ball bounded past first base in foul territory, the call was correct. Ruling was challenged and AFFIRMED by the UEFL Appeals Board (7-0-1), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 3-1. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Roberto Ortiz (40)'s first ejection of 2020.
Roberto Ortiz now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief Paul Nauert now has 1 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).
Related Post: Top 10 MLB Hothead Players by Ejection Frequency (2/28/19).

This is the 51st ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 23rd player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Harper was 0-2 in the contest.
This is Philadelphia's 2nd ejection of 2020, 2nd in the NL East (WAS 3; PHI 2; MIA 1; ATL, NYM 0).
This is Bryce Harper's 1st ejection since Sept 15, 2019 (Gabe Morales; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Roberto Ortiz's 1st ejection since Sept 8, 2019 (Adam Frazier; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets, 9/5/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 50 - Quinn Wolcott (1; Eric Hosmer)

HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Padres 1B Eric Hosmer (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Padres-#Athletics game. With one out and none on, Hosmer took a 0-2 fastball from A's pitcher Joakim Soria for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.79, pz 1.67 [sz_bot 1.78 / RAD 1.66]) and all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 8-2^. The A's ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Quinn Wolcott (81)'s first ejection of 2020.
Quinn Wolcott now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Adrian Johnson now has 4 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 4).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 1.49 horizontal and 1.15 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.
^Official Baseball Rule 8.01(d) states, "If an umpire disqualifies a player while a play is in progress, the disqualification shall not take effect until no further action is possible in that play." Accordingly, the score at the time of Hosmer's ejection is 8-2, even though he was ejected before ensuing batter Austin Nola touched home plate on his home run.

This is the 50th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 22nd player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Hosmer was 0-4 (SO).
This is San Diego's 2nd ejection of 2020, T-2nd in the NL West (LAD 3; ARI, SD 2; COL 1; SF 0).
This is Eric Hosmer's 1st ejection since Sept 14, 2019 (Carlos Torres; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Quinn Wolcott's 1st ejection since June 6, 2018 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs. Oakland Athletics, 9/5/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 49 - Gabe Morales (1; Matt Kemp)

HP Umpire Gabe Morales ejected Rockies PH Matt Kemp (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Rockies-#Dodgers game. With two out and none on, Kemp took a 1-2 fastball from Dodgers pitcher Caleb Ferguson for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh high (px -0.73, pz 2.38 [sz_top 3.61]) and that all pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 6-5. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 10-6.

This is Gabe Morales (47)'s first ejection of 2020.
Gabe Morales now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 2.21 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.
The strike one call was located .77 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 49th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 21st player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Kemp was 0-1 (SO) in the contest.
This is Colorado's 1st ejection of 2020, T-3rd in the NL West (LAD 3; ARI 2; COL, SD 1; SF 0).
This is Matt Kemp's 1st ejection since April 1, 2019 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gabe Morales' 1st ejection since Sept 15, 2019 (Gabe Kapler; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 9/4/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 48 - Jerry Meals (2; Andy Haines)

HP Umpire Jerry Meals ejected Brewers hitting coach Andy Haines (check swing strike one call) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Brewers-#Indians game. With none out and one on, Brewers batter Jacob Nottingham attempted to check his swing on a 0-0 fastball from Indians pitcher Phil Maton, ruled a swinging strike by HP Umpire Meals. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (check swing call, 9-0-0), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 7-1.

This is Jerry Meals (41)'s second ejection of 2020.
Jerry Meals now has -3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -3).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 7 points in Crew Division (7 Prev + 0 Incorrect Call = 7).

This is the 48th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is Milwaukee's 2nd ejection of 2020, 4th in the NL Central (CIN 6; PIT 4; CHC 3; MIL 2; STL 0).
This is Andy Haines' 1st ejection since April 22, 2018 (Cory Blaser; QOC = U [USC/Warnings]).
This is Jerry Meals' 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 6 (David Bell; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cleveland Indians, 9/4/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Debut of Umpire Kyle McCrady

Umpire Kyle McCrady made his MLB debut during Friday's Rangers-Mariners game in Seattle alongside Crew Chief Lance Barrett, John Libka and Tripp GIbson.

Upon graduation from Washington State University (Vancouver), McCrady attended the MiLB Umpire Academy in 2013, working the Arizona, Northwest, California, Texas, and Pacific Coast Leagues.

He officiated the 2017 Texas League All-Star Game and 2018 All-Star Futures Game in Washington, DC.

McCrady is the 19th different umpire to make his MLB debut during the 2020 season.
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Dan Merzel (8/29/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Junior Valentine (8/26/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Charlie Ramos (8/25/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Ryan Wills (8/22/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Ryan MacKay (8/21/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire David Arrieta (8/21/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Paul Clemons (8/19/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Malachi Moore (8/17/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Nestor Ceja (8/14/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Clinton "Clint" Vondrak (8/10/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Nate Tomlinson (8/7/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Erich Bacchus (8/7/20).
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Adam Beck (8/5/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Randy Rosenberg (8/4/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Lewis "Lew" Williams III (8/2/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Jeremy Riggs (7/28/20).

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Jose Navas (7/24/20)

Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Edwin Moscoso (7/23/20).    

MLB Ejection 47 - Chad Fairchild (2; Ben Heller)

1B Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Yankees pitcher Ben Heller (throwing at Rays batter Hunter Renfroe) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Rays-#Yankees game. With one out and none on, Renfroe took a 0-0 fastball from Heller for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in a crew consultation and ejection. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Renfroe on his thigh; warnings had not previously been issued, the call was irrecsuable. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 5-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Chad Fairchild (4)'s second ejection of 2020.
Chad Fairchild now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = 3).
Crew Chief Chad Fairchild now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 QOCU = 3).

This is the 47th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 20th player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Heller's line was 0.1 IP, HBP.
This is New York's 4th ejection of 2020, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 4; TB 2; BAL, BOS 0).
This is Ben Heller's first career MLB ejection.
This is Chad Fairchild's 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Sept 1 (Kevin Cash; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees, 9/2/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 46 - John Tumpane (1; Derek Shelton)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Pirates Manager Derek Shelton (ball three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Cubs-#Pirates game. With none out and none on, Cubs batter Jason Heyward took a 2-1 slider from Pirates pitcher Geoff Hartlieb for a called third ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 1.12, pz 1.25 [sz_bot 1.61 / RAD 1.49]) and all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 6-5. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 8-7, in 11 innings.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s first ejection of 2020.
John Tumpane now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4.
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 0).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 4.46 horizontal / 3.88 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.
^See UEFL Rule 6-5-c regarding QOC for ball/strike ejections ("any pitch called during that at bat").

This is the 46th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 21st Manager ejection of 2020.
This is Pittsburgh's 4th ejection of 2020, 2nd in the NL Central (CIN 6; PIT 4; CHC 3; MIL 1; STL 0).
This is Derek Shelton's 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 7 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Tumpane's 1st ejection since August 9, 2019 (Don Mattingly; QOC = N [Balk]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 9/1/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 45 - Chad Fairchild (1; Kevin Cash)

2B Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Rays Manager Kevin Cash (warnings) in the top of the 9th inning of the Rays-Yankees game. With two out and none on, Rays batter Mike Brosseau took a 0-0 fastball from Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman for a called first ball, resulting in crew consultation amongst the umpires, upon which warnings were issued to both teams. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and above the head of Brosseau, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 5-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 5-3, upon which a benches-clearing incident occurred as both teams engaged in an on-field confrontation, in contravention of MLB's 2020 COVID-19 guidelines.

This is Chad Fairchild (4)'s first ejection of 2020.
Chad Fairchild now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = 1).
Crew Chief Chad Fairchild now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 QOCU = 2).

This is the 45th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 20th Manager ejection of 2020.
This is Tampa Bay's 2nd ejection of 2020, 3rd in the AL East (TOR 4; NYY 3; TB 2; BAL, BOS 0).
This is Kevin Cash's 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 23 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = N-c [Check Swing]).
This is Chad Fairchild's 1st ejection since June 21, 2019 (Justin Turner; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees, 9/1/20 | Video as follows:

Crew Foster Sets Replay Record with Six Upheld Calls

MLB's 2020 season provided its latest trick as Chief Marty Foster's Crew set a new baseball record with six Replay Review calls during Monday's Orioles-Blue Jays game as Foster and umpires Alan Porter, Sean Barber and Jeremy Riggs had all six calls upheld via video review.

Because the Buffalo stadium doesn't have a dedicated major league replay video room, both teams during games at Sahlen Field are afforded two managers challenges. Here's the play-by-play.

Replay Review 1, Bot 4 (TOR Challenge): Out/Safe (Tag) at second base on Orioles pitcher Keegan Akin's pickoff of Blue Jays baserunner R2 Teoscar Hernandez, initially ruled "out" by 2B Umpire Marty Foster. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 2, Bot 6 (BAL Challenge): Out/Safe (Tag) at third base on Orioles catcher Pedro Severino's attempt to throw out Blue Jays baserunner R2 Lourdes Gurriel, Jr on his attempted steal of third base, initially ruled "safe" by 3B Umpire Sean Barber. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 3, Bot 9 (TOR Challenge): Out/Safe (Tag) at second base on Orioles catcher Severino's attempt to throw out Blue Jays baserunner R1 Derek Fisher on his attempted steal of second base, initially ruled "out" by 2B Umpire Marty Foster. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 4, Top 10 (BAL Challenge): Out/Safe ("Force") at first base on Blue Jays pitcher AJ Cole's attempt to throw out Orioles batter-runner Hanser Alberto, initially ruled "out" by 1B Umpire Alan Porter. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 5, Top 10 (Crew Chief Review): Out/Safe (Tag) at home plate on Blue Jays right fielder Hernandez's attempt to throw out Orioles baserunner R3 Mason Williams on his attempted score, initially ruled "out" by HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs. After review the call was upheld.

Replay Review 6, Bot 11 (Crew Chief Review): Out/Safe (Tag) at home plate on Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander/shortstop Jose Iglesias' attempt to throw out Blue Jays baserunner R1 Gurriel on his attempted score, initially ruled "out" by HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs. After review, the call was upheld.

In 2017, the World Baseball Classic broke a then-record for most Replay Reviews in a nine-inning game (five).
Related Post: WBC Game 2 Breaks Replay Review Record (3/22/17).

Video as follows:

Case 20-3 - Twin Out, Triple Play, Or Intentional Drop

"Triple play!" squealed the Minnesota Twins broadcast as a bases-loaded dropped line drive dissipated into a one out sequence as called by 2B Umpire Umpire Ryan Blakney, upheld after crew consultation with Chief Laz Diaz, and confirmed after Replay Review challenge by Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli. What magic trick turned three outs into one?

The Play: With none out and the bases loaded, White Sox batter Danny Mendick hit a 1-2 curveball from Twins pitcher Rich Hill on a line drive to second baseman Luis Arraez, who dropped the batted ball before fielding and flipping to shortstop Jorge Polanco, who stepped on second base and threw onward to first baseman Miguel Sano, who tagged White Sox baserunner R1 Luis Robert, before throwing back to Twins shortstop Polanco, who tagged White Sox baserunner R2 James McCann, who was standing on second base at the time of the tag. R3 Edwin Encarnacion remained on third base and batter-runner Mendick stood at first base.

UIC DJ Reyburn and CC Laz Diaz explain.

The Call: In the middle of the action, 2B Umpire Ryan Blakney ruled F4 Arraez failed to catch the batted ball ("safe" call) before ruling baserunner R1 Robert out at second base on the force out by F6 Polanco. 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Laz Diaz made no call on F3 Sano's tag of R1 Robert (no need for a call, as Blakney had already called Robert out on the force play), before 2B Umpire Blakney ruled R2 McCann safe at second base for McCann was standing on the base at the time he was tagged.

F4 doesn't tag R2, meaning R2 is safe.

Analysis: This play was officiated correctly—as long as Arraez's drop of the batted ball is deemed unintentional. Chicago's R1 Robert was forced out at second base, making the subsequent tag of Robert at first redundant, while the defense failed to make a play on R2 McCann until the force was removed and he was allowed to return safely to second base without being forced to advance. No play was ever made on R3 nor the batter-runner; thus, only one out was recorded on this play (BR = Safe, R1 = Out, R2 = Safe, R3 = Safe).

Only one Q: Is this an intentional drop?

Case Play Question: As stated, the only way this play could have turned out differently is if the umpires deemed that F4 Arraez's drop of the baseball was intentional. The relevant rule is 5.09(a)(12), which puts a batter out when—"An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases."

Had the umpires deemed the dropped ball an intentional act, all else equal (the same sequence having occurred, tags and all), what would the proper call have been?
Hint: It's in the rule itself, which makes this exercise rather rhetorical, perhaps.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 44 - Bill Welke (1; Joe Girardi)

2B Umpire Bill Welke ejected Phillies Manager Joe Girardi (foul ball call by 1B Umpire Roberto Ortiz; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Braves-#Phillies game. With none out and none on, Braves batter Ender Inciarte hit a 2-2 slider from Phillies pitcher Heath Hembree on the ground up the first base line, ruled a foul ball by 1B Umpire Ortiz for having touched Inciarte while he was in the batter's box. Replays indicate the batted ball did not make contact with Inciarte's person before bounding toward Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who fielded the ball in fair territory, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 11-10. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 12-10.

This is Bill Welke (3)'s first ejection of 2020.
Bill Welke now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 0).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).

This is the 44th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 19th Manager ejection of 2020.
This is Philadelphia's 1st ejection of 2020, T-2nd in the NL East (WAS 3; MIA, PHI 1; ATL, NYM 0).
This is Joe Girardi's 1st ejection since Aug 27, 2017 (Mike Everitt; QOC = N [Interference]).
This is Bill Welke's 1st ejection since Sept 15, 2019 (Matt Joyce; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 8/30/20 | Video as follows: