Madison Bumgarner of the Arizona Diamondbacks was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins immediately following the mandated foreign substances test.
Bumgarner was displeased with at least one call made by home plate umpire Ryan Wills. The ensuing now-standard “sticky stuff” examination of his hands led to a brief exchange of words with first base umpire Dan Bellino.
Bumgarner surrendered a home run to Marlins third baseman Jon Berti and appeared to grumble toward Bellino as he walked back to the dugout. He continued to speak while having his fingers checked for foreign substances.
As the check came to a conclusion, Bumgarner muttered something too, and Bellino ejected him once the inspection was completed. Bumgarner then began yelling at the referee and was scolded by Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and catcher Jose Herrera.
The ejection did not appear to be caused by any foreign substance on Bumgarner’s hand, but rather by a confrontation with Bellino that occurred after the dismissal.
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Both’s defense, aftermath
“I know why I got thrown out, yes,” Bumgarner said. “I don’t know if I can say anything that would make the situation better, so what I’m gonna say is I’m extremely proud of our team coming back and winning today because I put us in a big hole there.
“Obviously, you didn’t go into the game with the intention of throwing one inning, so for them to be able to fight and everyone picked me up today, for that to happen that’s pretty incredible. Very proud.”
Numerous witnesses say Bellino lured Bumgarner into the incident. A closer examination of the footage reveals Bellino gazing directly into Bumgarner’s eyes while rubbing the pitcher’s hand. Bumgarner appears to sarcastically tell Bellino to “take your [expletive] time,” prompting him to be ejected from the game.
“You’ve seen the video,” Bumgarner said, referring to the ejection.
At the top of the second inning, Bumgarner was substituted by right-hander Corbin Martin. This was the second time that he was ejected in his career. On 11 June 2018, he was also ejected for arguing the umpire’s decision.
Diamondbacks executive Dan Haren was quick to come to Bumgarner’s defense, claiming that the umpire was the one who provoked him.
“Was completely instigated by Dan Bellino, was staring at Bum until he looked at Bellino in the eyes,” Haren tweeted. “Wanted to throw him out. He was targeted, Bellino needs to be disciplined. Complete BS.”
On the other hand, according to Bellino, Bumgarner was tossed for profanity directed at an official. Bellino was seen on video during the foreign substance check staring at Bumgarner while he repeatedly patted his hand, but Bellino stated that he did not believe that was a factor in Bumgarner’s dismissal.
“I wouldn’t say he took exception to it. It was just a hand check,” Bellino said.
Arizona entered the game with a 12-13 record and was in last place in the National League West division.
This is the third season Bumgarner joins the Diamondbacks. He had appeared in five games prior to taking the field for the first time on Wednesday. He recorded 15 strikeouts, and 1.17 ERA in 23 innings in Arizona this season.
