MLB Ejections 132-3 - Fletcher, Bacchus (Ross, Napoli)

1B Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Cubs 1B Coach Mike Napoli and HP Umpire Erich Bacchus ejected Cubs manager David Ross (strike two call; QOCY) in the top of the 11th inning of the #Cubs-#Brewers game. With two out and one on, Cubs batter Dansby Swanson took a 2-1 fastball from Brewers pitcher Clayton Andrews for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.37, pz 1.63 [sz_bot 1.59 / RAD 1.47]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Cubs were leading, 7-6. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 11 innings.

Prior, Ross argued with Bacchus in the bottom of the 6th inning (but was not ejected) after Brewers batter William Contreras' soft ground ball fielded by Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya resulted in a single and throwing error when Amaya's throw to first base sailed down the foul line into right field. Bacchus ruled that runner's lane interference did not occur because Amaya's throw could not have reasonably retired the runner (presumably due to inaccuracy).

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is Erich Bacchus (12)'s 4th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.92 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11): "In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

Wendelstedt interpretation of OBR 5.09(a)(11) and RLI: "The determination is not whether the throw is true, but whether it could still reasonably retire the runner."

These are the 132nd and 133rd ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 16th coach ejection of 2023.

This is the 64th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 64 Managers, 53 Players, 16 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 4/5th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (STL 6; CHC, CIN, MIL 5; PIT 4).

This is Mike Napoli's 1st ejection since August 27, 2022 (Manny Gonzalez; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is David Ross' 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 13 (Emil Jimenez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Andy Fletcher's 1st ejection since Sept 22, 2022 (Kevin Long; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Erich Bacchus' 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 25 (Buck Showalter; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers, 7/4/23 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Napoli & Ross tossed after uncaught strike two call during long, frustrating game