Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was ejected after he took off his shoe and sock in an attempt to show an umpire that he had hit a ball into his foot during a thrilling extra-innings victory over the San Diego Padres.
The unusual incident occurred in the top of the ninth inning of the Astros’ 4-3 win at Petco Park on Tuesday.
“I got a foul ball because it hit my foot, and they took it away from me,” Altuve said to reporters. “I don’t think that should happen. There were four umpires on the field. They need to see the ball’s change of direction and make the right call.”
With the game tied at 3-3, Altuve stepped up to face pitcher Robert Suarez. The relief pitcher threw a 99.5-mph sinker that was called a ball. Altuve swung and missed on the next pitch, a 100.3-mph sinker that was high and inside.
Altuve made contact with the ball, which seemed to deflect off his left foot, typically resulting in a foul ball. However, home plate umpire Brennan Miller ruled it fair. Padres third baseman Manny Machado fielded the ball and threw it to first baseman Donovan Solano, retiring Altuve to end the inning.
Altuve then removed his left sock and cleat, walking toward Miller, who was speaking with Astros manager Joe Espada. Miller promptly ejected Altuve.
Espada commented, “It’s a foul ball. You have to see the ball hit the foot and how it travels. I don’t understand. This has happened twice this year. I respect the umpires; they work hard. There are four of them out there. They missed that play.”
Grae Kissinger, who replaced Altuve, later scored the winning run from a single by Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker in the top of the 10th inning. Kissinger also made a critical sliding defensive play to end the game.
During that play, Machado was at bat with the bases loaded and hit a 1-2 fastball up the middle. Kissinger slid to his right, gloved the ball, and flipped it to shortstop Jeremy Pena, who tagged second base for the final out.
Altuve went 1 for 5 with two strikeouts in the win. Tucker and third baseman Alex Bregman each had two hits. Astros starter Hunter Brown allowed five hits and two runs over six innings but didn’t get a decision. Padres starter Michael King also allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings without a decision. Machado finished the game 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs, while Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. went 2 for 5 with two runs scored.
The Padres (86-66) will host the Astros (82-69) in the series finale at 6:40 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in San Diego.
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