SF Giants manager Bob Melvin explains ejection: ‘It was strike 3.’
Apr 22, 2024, 7:33 AM
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Frustrations boiled over for San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin on Sunday afternoon–but his reasoning may have been warranted.
During the Giants’ 5-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park, things got interesting late as D-Backs shortstop Kevin Newman came to the plate in the top of the ninth inning with runners on the corners and no outs.
San Francisco reliever Nick Avila’s 1-2 knuckle curve spiked towards the plate, causing Newman to swing and miss–at least, to the naked eye, it looked like a swing and miss. Home plate umpire Stu Scheurwater thought otherwise, signaling a foul tip and extending the at-bat.
Two pitches later, Newman laced a double into left field, extending Arizona’s lead to 4-2. Moments later, Melvin was ejected for the second time this season.
This was called a foul tip, not strike three 🤨
You be the judge … pic.twitter.com/awybNkeS3q
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 21, 2024
“It was strike three, in my opinion,” Melvin said postgame of Avila’s pitch to Newman that was ruled a foul tip.
“It looked to me like it was fairly clear. Now, that’s probably the worst angle you can have is sitting behind it. I think typically they do check or whatever, but it looked to me just from the naked eye [that Newman didn’t touch it], but I’m not an umpire.”
Instead of keeping the game at 3-2 with runners at the corners and one out, San Francisco fell behind 5-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth before dropping the game 5-3.
After a four-game split against the Diamondbacks, the Giants (10-13) will hope to get back on track when they open a three-game series against the New York Mets on Monday night at Oracle Park.
“Which one?”
Melvin was asked about the controversial call and his ejection from today’s game 👀 pic.twitter.com/r4f1fL0ULF
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 21, 2024
Upcoming schedule for Bob Melvin and the San Francisco Giants
- Monday, April 22nd-Wednesday, April 24th – vs. New York Mets
- Friday, April 26th-Sunday, April 28th – vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Tuesday, April 30th-Thursday, Mary 2nd – @ Boston Red Sox
- Friday, May 3rd-Monday, May 6th – @ Philadelphia Phillies
- Tuesday, May 7th-Thursday, May 9th – @ Colorado Rockies
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