Pirates manager Derek Shelton was ejected from Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Mets after a controversial call by the plate umpire cost the team a run with the bases loaded.
In the bottom of the seventh, with the Pirates down by three runs and the bases loaded with two outs, Jack Swinski came to bat against struggling relief pitcher Reid Garrett.
Garrett had already allowed one hit and walked two in the inning, but was down 1-0 and on the next pitch, home plate umpire John Tampane called a low pitch for a strike, much to Shelton’s frustration.
In his next at-bat, Tampane called the second pitch a strike low and outside the strike zone, drawing the ire of manager Shelton.
“Strikes called. Oh my goodness! It should have been 5-3! Oh, brother!” Shelton yelled.
An infuriated Shelton stormed to home plate to address Tumpane, who was visibly upset by the call.
Shelton was ejected by Tampané following the tirade.
Swinski returned to the plate and struck out swinging on the next pitch, ending the Pirates’ threat.
Shelton was still upset about the call after the game.
“From my perspective? I think you all pretty much understand where I stand so I don’t think I’ll make any further comment,” Shelton said in his post-game press conference.
Shelton said Swinski is one of the team’s most “level-headed” players and his frustration was notable.
“Jack never reacts,” Shelton said, “and I think I was very not happy that he reacted like that and then the clock started ticking so quickly. You can tell by the tone of my voice and how raspy it sounds right now.”
Shelton said he wasn’t unhappy with the umpire’s calls prior to the at-bat, but found the two calls infuriating.
“I thought it was two pitches in that at-bat. … You guys look at it and tell me what you think.”
