Every once in a while, there's an ejection that's handled the right way all around. Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, first base umpire Lance Barrett and home plate umpire Mike Estabrook combined to create just such a situation on Wednesday. None of them probably felt that way in the moment, however.
Espada became upset in the third inning when Estabrook and Barrett ruled Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout had checked his swing on a pitch that hit him on the hand. Earlier in the game, Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena had been hit on the hand while swinging and was rightfully called out on strikes. Apparently, Espada took issue with Trout not receiving the same ruling.
The problem was, the two plays weren't the same. Replay clearly showed the ball hit Trout's hand, and that he held his swing. That's what Estabrook saw and Barrett confirmed.
Yet because Estabrook hadn't appealed to Barrett at first base on Pena's swing earlier, Barrett hadn't been in a position to overrule the home plate ump. When Espada protested repeatedly from the dugout, Barrett instructed the manager to stop. When Espada didn't, he was ejected for failure to stop arguing, per MLB rules.
Espada clarified his disagreement after the game and made it clear his dispute wasn't with Barrett. "(Thursday) I'll probably apologize to Lance," Espada said, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "I looked at the replay and (Trout) did not swing, but for me it was (that) Mike didn't check Pena's, and once Trout gets hit, he immediately goes to Lance.
If you're going to make the call, might as well just check both. I did not like that aspect of things. I went out there and pleaded my case." Pleading his case is Espada's right as the manager, to a point.
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