In an encounter full of emotions, the Arizona Diamondbacks manager, Torey Lovullo, was ejected in the eighth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Lovullo’s ejection came after a controversial obstruction call in the eighth inning, in a game the Diamondbacks ultimately won 8-7.
Lovullo, visibly annoyed, reacted theatrically, pointing and “ejecting” each of the four members of the umpiring crew.
“In the heat of the moment, it wasn’t clear to me and I felt like they were trying to cover themselves a little bit. But in reality, the obstruction was called.”
Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks manager
Despite his initial reaction, Lovullo acknowledged after the game that the obstruction call was correct.
“They are really good. The umpires are good. I retract.”
Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks manager
The controversial play began with Christian Koss of the Giants on first base with two outs. Heliot Ramos hit a Ryne Nelson pitch down the third base line. Eugenio Suárez stopped the ball with a backhand, but his throw to first was not in time to get Ramos out.
Koss, meanwhile, was running towards second base and collided with second baseman Jordan Lawlar. Koss fell and appeared injured. It was then that he was called out, but the umpires gathered and ruled obstruction by Lawlar.
This prompted a reaction from Lovullo, who was ejected by first base umpire Mark Ripperger, the crew chief.
Ultimately, the play did not affect the outcome. Koss remained in the game, and both he and Ramos were stranded when Nelson pulled Wilmer Flores.
The Diamondbacks took two of three in the series.
