MLB Ejections 156-7 - Ballou, Bacchus (TB-OAK)

HP Umpire Brock Ballou ejected Rays manager Kevin Cash (HBP denied to José Caballero; QOCY) in the top of the 7th and 1B Umpire Erich Bacchus ejected A's manager Mark Kotsay (Replay Review decision which upheld U1's out call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Rays-#Athletics game. In the 7th, with none out and none on, Rays batter Caballero was touched by a 2-1 slider from A's pitcher Mitch Spence, ruled a dead ball (stay here) by HP Umpire Ballou, who ruled Caballero failed to attempt to avoid being touched by the pitch. Replays indicate Caballero failed to attempt to avoid being touched by the pitch, which was actually located within the strike zone when it touched Caballero; as the ball (not strike) call favored the ejectee's team, the call was correct (had Oakland instead been ejected, the call would be incorrect).* At the time of Cash's ejection, the game was tied, 2-2.

In the 8th, with one out and none on, A's batter Miguel Andujar hit a 1-2 sweeper from Rays pitcher Garrett Cleavinger on the ground to third baseman Caballero, to catcher Alex Jackson, to first baseman Yandy Díaz, ruled out by 1B Umpire Bacchus. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by A's manager Kotsay, Bacchus' call was upheld, the call was correct. At the time of Kotsay's ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-2. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Brock Ballou (119)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is Erich Bacchus (12)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rule 5.05(b)(2): "The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided they advance to and touch first base) when they are touched by a pitched ball which they are not attempting to hit unless (A) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (B) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball."

These are the 156th and 157th ejection reports of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 79/80th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 80 Managers, 25 Coaches, 52 Players.

This is Tampa Bay's 5th ejection of 2024, 4th in the AL East (NYY 10; TOR 9; BAL 6; TB 5; BOS 3).

This is Oakland's 8th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (OAK 8; HOU, SEA 7; LAA, TEX 6).

This is Kevin Cash's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 1 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mark Kotsay's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since August 18 (Emil Jimenez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brock Ballou's 1st ejection since May 15, 2023 (Merrill Kelly; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Erich Bacchus' 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since August 13 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Oakland Athletics, 8/21/24 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Ballou runs Cash over Caballero's lean-in, Bacchus gets Kotsay after Replay