Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was ejected from Tuesday's game against Baltimore for his explosive outburst towards an umpire over an incorrect call over a checked swing.
It happened in the top of the seventh inning with no outs and an Orioles runner on second with the D-backs holding a 4-2 lead. With a 2-2 count on Orioles batter Tyler O'Neill, starter Merrill Kelly threw a slider low and outside. O'Neill appered to checked his swing, and home plate umpire Brian O'Nora deferred to first base umpire Laz Diaz to make the call as to whether O'Neill went around. Diaz said that O'Neill did not, even though replay showed that he did go around, which should have been strike three. Instead, the count went to 3-2, and Kelly threw the next pitch low and outside for ball four, resulting in a walk.
That would be Kelly's last pitch, but as Lovullo made the pitching change, he argued with Diaz over the check swing call which was clearly incorrect. Lovullo was ejected, but made sure to get his money's worth by getting face-to-face with Diaz and letting out his anger until O'Nora stepped in between to separate them.
Torey Lovullo was ejected for arguing with Laz Diaz over a wrong check-swing call that effectively ended Merrill Kelly's night
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 9, 2025
He got his money's worth pic.twitter.com/xuli45453T
We have seen arguments over checked swings before. These are judgement calls by umpires, and as is evident by this case, umpires sometimes get these calls wrong. It would seem this would be a situation that instant replay could fix if MLB is willing to use it.
The Orioles managed to score a run in the seventh, but the D-backs held on for the 4-3 win.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
