Blue Jays upset by ejections in contentious loss to Yankees
It was an emotional and confusing night for the Blue Jays on Tuesday and they are still none too happy about having their pitcher and two of their coaches ejected from what became a deflating 6-5 loss to the host New York Yankees.
After New York tied the game up 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Toronto reliever Yimi Garcia pegged Yankees batter Josh Donaldson in the arm with a pitch. The umpire then ejected Garcia, which prompted a very angry response from the 31-year-old right-hander. Manager Charlie Montoyo and members of the Blue Jays coaching staff ran onto the field demanding an explanation, which resulted in Montoyo and pitching coach Pete Walker being ejected as well.
As the TV broadcast -- and many, many viewers on social media -- pointed out, it is highly unlikely Garcia beaned Donaldson on purpose late in a tied ballgame. So, naturally, the swiftness with which Garcia, Montoyo, and Walker were ejected left the team pretty upset.
Crew chief Alfonso Marquez later explained his rationale for Garcia's ejection by noting that Donaldson appeared to have a confrontation with Jays catcher Tyler Heineman earlier in the game -- which he apparently figured made Garcia's beanball intentional.
Donaldson later said he didn't think Garcia hit him intentionally. Not that that mattered at that point, as Aaron Judge hit a walk-off home run to solidify the stinging loss for Toronto.
Montoyo was also suspended for Wednesday's finale at Yankee Stadium. It's anyone's guess how contentious that game is going to be after the chaos from Tuesday night.
More must-reads: