Justin Verlander was ejected during the sixth inning of Tuesday’s Houston Astros-Tampa Bay Rays game after taking issue with umpire Pat Hoberg’s strike zone.
Verlander was leading 9-0 and facing Tampa Bay’s Tommy Pham with one out. There was a 2-2 count and Verlander thought he had struck out Pham on a pitch just off the outside corner. Hoberg called it a ball.
Justin Verlander thought he had rung up Tommy Pham on pitch 5. On pitch 6, Tommy Pham hit a double. Verlander went straight at Pat Hoberg after the hit was struck and yelled at him. Hoberg tossed him. pic.twitter.com/Q8DxiHCZui
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 28, 2019
On the next pitch, Pham hit a double, leading a frustrated Verlander to yell something to Hoberg. The umpire then tossed the former Cy Young winner.
Here is the moment Justin Verlander was ejected in the 6th inning with a 9-0 lead. Verlander had his back turned when he was tossed. #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/ttBlh3s3O1
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) August 28, 2019
Brad Peacock replaced Verlander in the game.
Even though his Astros were leading 9-0, Verlander getting upset over the call and result shows just how much he cares about his pitching; he’s even getting angry in a blowout. Verlander’s final line included four hits, no walks, no runs, and four strikeouts over 5.1 innings. He was in line for his 16th win.
Verlander should give a call to ex-teammate Michael Fulmer to commiserate. Both of them have now had frustrations with Hoberg.
