Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon was ejected from Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after getting upset with the opposing team for throwing up and in on his players.
Javy Baez was batting for the Cubs in the top of the fourth inning. Pirates starter Jordan Lyles kept throwing high and tight on Baez, who did not like the pitches coming so close to his head. After a 3-2 pitch went near his head and hit the knob of his bat as he moved out of the way, Maddon was fuming.
The Cubs manager came out of the dugout and began yelling across the field at Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. Umpire Joe West tried to keep Maddon away from Hurdle and got in between them.
Joe Maddon EJECTED after he’s stopped from going after Clint Hurdle. #CHCvsPIT pic.twitter.com/25FacD34I9
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) July 4, 2019
Maddon had to be restrained and ended up being tossed from the game.
Baez struck out in the at-bat to end the half inning.
Why was Maddon so upset? He felt like Lyles was throwing up and in too much. The data shows how often Lyles was missing up and in.
Jordan Lyles has thrown a ton of pitches up and in today. The latest hit the knob of Javier Baez's bat, quite possibly what set Joe Maddon off. pic.twitter.com/wTrhjlOHl1
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) July 4, 2019
Maddon was also ejected from a Pirates-Cubs game back in April for arguing balls and strikes.
