San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello was ejected one batter into the bottom of the seventh inning on Wednesday, as the team fell apart and lost its fifth consecutive game, completing a sweep by the Kansas City Royals. The Giants' loss dropped their record to 42-60, while the Royals improved to 43-60.
The Giants had held a 3-0 lead before the pivotal seventh inning, which began with a controversial call at second base. Second base umpire Mike Estabrook ruled that Willy Adames had pushed Royals runner Vinnie Pasquantino off the bag after a double. Adames argued the call vehemently, but the ruling stood, and Pasquantino ultimately scored the Royals' first run.
Soon after, Landen Roupp allowed a home run to Salvador Perez, tying a Royals franchise record with his 317th career blast. The situation worsened when Sam Hentges entered the game and struggled, allowing the Royals to bat around and score all five of their runs in the inning. Hentges committed an error on a bunt and allowed multiple hits, while Keaton Winn also gave up runs.
Vitello’s ejection came after he reemerged from the dugout to argue the ruling regarding Adames’ tag. It was his third ejection this season and second in two weeks. The Giants reportedly felt frustrated with the umpiring throughout the series, particularly on calls involving Adames.
This marks the Giants' seventh sweep of the season. In each of their last five losses, the team has taken an early lead only to relinquish it. Casey Schmitt hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, his first since before the All-Star break, snapping a 3-for-23 skid.
Prior to the game, Vitello had commented on the team's confidence, referencing Schmitt as an example of a player capable of both strong defense and power hitting. Schmitt had been in a slump at the plate, striking out multiple times before his ninth-inning home run.
Meanwhile, pitcher Landen Roupp has shown improvement after making a mechanical adjustment. Since speeding up his arm motion, Roupp has posted a 1.29 ERA over his last three starts, allowing only three runs in 21 innings. On Wednesday, he struck out seven batters and did not issue a walk through six-plus innings before the seventh-inning rally.
The Giants are set to return to San Francisco for an off day on Thursday before beginning a weekend series against the Angels. Following that series, the team faces a stretch of 13 consecutive games.