Aug. 9 (UPI) — Atlanta Braves ace pitcher Chris Sale was ejected from the game prior to the start of Sunday’s contest against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, even though he wasn’t scheduled to pitch.
Third-base umpire Dan Merzel ejected Sale moments before the start of the Braves’ 2-1, 10-inning win over the Yankees after he was previously observed talking with the star lefty at the Braves’ dugout.
That conversation appeared to have ended amicably, but moments later as Merzel and the game’s three other umpires were walking onto the field at the start of the game, he abruptly tossed Sale from the contest.
The reason for the ejection was not immediately given, MLB.com reported, but the incident appeared related to an event from Saturday’s game in which Merzel, who was acting as the home plate umpire, charged Sale with a balk.
The Yankees’ Spencer Jones scored on the play.
Sale and Braves manager Walt Weiss engaged in a lengthy argument with the umpire after the call and Weiss was eventually ejected from the game.
Atlanta went on to lose that contest 5-4 to the Yankees.
