It’s been turned into a meme, a video that went viral Wednesday afternoon, and the fallout from Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner’s ejection after one inning.
During his hand check for illegal substances, Bumgarner was checked by first-base umpire Dan Bellino, who stared intently into Bumgarner’s face while checking the pitcher’s hand for illegal substances. It came after Bumgarner was arguing balls and strikes after a first inning where leadoff home run to Jon Berti before retiring the rest of the side.
“You guys have seen the video,” Bumgarner told reporters. “I don’t know if I could say anything that would make the situation better. What I am going to say is I’m extremely proud of our team, coming back. Obviously I didn’t go into the game with the intention of throwing one inning. Everyone picked me up today.”
The ejection was the second of Bumgarner’s career. The situation grew in intensity after he was ejected with the oddness of the hand check. Arizona went on to win 8-7.
Minnesota corner infielder Miguel Sano will require surgery for a torn meniscus, the team announced. His timetable is to be determined.
The slugger suffered the injury while celebrating a walk-off victory on April 26. Sano has hit .234 with a .809 OPS for his career with 162 career home runs.
Emotional Return
Michael Clevinger had not pitched since September 23, 2020, and he had to wait one more day after Tuesday’s game in Cleveland was postponed. He started Wednesday in his return after Tommy John surgery, a fitting place to make his season debut after starting his career with the Guardians’ organization.
He allowed three runs on four hits, walking three and striking out four across 4.2 innings pitched. He got a no-decision, but it was a monumental moment for the Padres right-hander.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to pitch again,” Clevinger told reporters Wednesday. He held back tears, and his voice cracked. “So this is big.”
San Diego went on to win 5-4, with a two-run home run by Manny Machado being the difference.
Clevinger was traded to San Diego in 2020. He was 42-22 with a 3.20 ERA and 584 strikeouts across 101 games and 88 starts for Cleveland. He had a 2.84 ERA with 19 strikeouts in as many innings after the trade and before suffering a shoulder injury and later a knee sprain that delayed his return further.
COVID Woes
Prior to an 18-4 loss in what’s already been a woeful season for the Cincinnati Reds, the team scratched outfielders Tyler Naquin and Nick Senzel and placed them on the Injured List with COVID-19-related designations. Star first baseman Joey Votto was also out.
The Reds are 3-21 and have lost eight straight and 19 of their last 20 games entering Thursday’s finale in Milwaukee. Matt Reynolds and Alejo Lopez got the starts in place of Naquin and Senzel.
Barrier Breaker
Kelsie Whitmore is a barrier breaker. Days after playing left field for the Staten Island FerryHawks of the independent Atlantic League, she became the first woman to pitch in professional baseball. She retired former Major Leaguer Ryan Jackson with the bases loaded.
A former college softball player with Cal State Fullerton, Whitmore was signed to a deal with Staten Island and made her debut on Sunday, going 0 for 2 with a hit by pitch.
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