San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said he “probably” deserved his first MLB ejection for arguing with umpires in the seventh inning of a loss to the New York Mets on Sunday in San Francisco. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Rookie manager Tony Vitello left the dugout and was promptly ordered to head to the clubhouse, drawing his first career MLB ejection in a San Francisco Giants loss to the New York Mets.
The exchange occurred in the seventh inning of the 5-2 setback Sunday in San Francisco. Vitello, who was hired in October, later admitted that he “probably” deserved the dismissal over a disputed out at first base.
“The umpire couldn’t have been better with balls and strikes,” Vitello told reporters. “I’m sure he got it, exactly, technically, right. But it’s a play that I’ve got a lot of history for, and I was a little frustrated about something else that occurred in the game.”
The Giants led 2-1 entering the bottom of the seventh inning. Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee lined out to start the half inning. Designated hitter Jerar Encarnacion settled in for the next exchange with relief pitcher Huascar Brazoban.
Encarnacion hit Brazoban’s lone offering — a 97.4-mph slider — a few feet to the left of the batter’s box. Brazoban left the mound and fielded the ball off the ground with his right hand. He threw to first baseman Mark Vientos, who dropped the ball.
First base umpire Nestor Ceja consulted with home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez, who ruled Encarnacion out on the play because he ran outside the running lane.
Vitello, who was in the dugout on the third-base line, exited and crossed the baseline to consult with Jimenez. He eventually walked back toward the Giants’ dugout, but doubled back to converse with third-base umpire David Rackley, who motioned for his ejection.
“I said one last thing out of frustration or being all fired up, which was complete nonsense,” Vitello said. “I think it was misinterpreted a little bit.
“But if you’re on the field that long and you’re not a player, you’re probably out of place a little bit.”
Center fielder Harrison Bader grounded out in the next at-bat, ending the inning. The Mets then scored four times in the eighth inning.
Brazoban and fellow Mets relief pitchers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams combined to allow just two hits, with no runs allowed or walks issued, over the final 3 1/3 innings.
Mets designated hitter Jorge Polanco doubled off relief pitcher Keaton Winn to start the eighth inning rally. Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. singled, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens followed with a two-run double, giving the Mets their first lead.
Vientos and second baseman Marcus Semien raked respective RBI singles and doubles in the next two at-bats for the final runs of the night.
Robert and left fielder Jared Young recorded three hits apiece in the victory. Vientos and Polanco recorded two hits each for the Mets. Third baseman Matt Chapman was the only Giants player to record multiple hits. He went 2 for 3 with an RBI double.
Giants starter Logan Webb allowed seven hits and one run over seven innings, but was not on record for a decision. Mets starter Kodai Senga allowed five hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings. He also was not in line for a decision.
Vitello’s Giants beat the Mets 7-2 on Thursday in San Francisco, but dropped the final three games of the series. The Giants (3-7) sit in last place in the National League West, 4.5 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers (7-2).
They will host the Philadelphia Phillies (5-4) at 9:45 p.m. EDT Monday in San Francisco.
The Mets (6-4) are tied with the Atlanta Braves (6-4) for second place in the National League East, a half-game behind the first-place Miami Marlins (6-3). They will host the Arizona Diamondbacks (5-5) at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday in Flushing. N.Y.
