Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale was ejected from Sunday's game against the New York Yankees moments before the first pitch, stemming from a controversial balk call during Saturday's game. Sale had vigorously argued the call on Saturday, which led to the Yankees taking the lead in the fifth inning.
On Sunday, as the umpire crew entered the field, Sale appeared to address the home plate umpire from Saturday, Dan Merzel, who was serving as the third base umpire for the series finale. This interaction led to Merzel ejecting Sale.
Saturday's Incident
During Saturday's game, Merzel called a balk on Sale with a runner on third base and a batter at the plate. The infraction allowed the Yankees' go-ahead run to score. Sale and Braves manager Walt Weiss argued the call extensively with Merzel, who ultimately ejected Weiss from the game.
Following Saturday's game, crew chief Dan Bellino explained the ruling to a pool reporter. Bellino stated that Sale, classified as a hybrid pitcher, was required to declare his pitching motion from the windup when facing a new batter, a step he did not take. Bellino clarified that traditional pitchers, who pitch from a standard windup or stretch, do not have to make such a declaration.