Braves' Chris Sale ejected before game sees first pitch for yelling at umpire over Saturday balk call
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale was ejected from Sunday's series finale against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, and he did not throw a single pitch in the game.
The ejection came before the first pitch, as Sale shouted at home plate umpire Dan Merzel during pregame introductions. Merzel had been behind the plate the previous night when he called a balk on Sale in the fifth inning of Saturday's game. The call allowed Yankees rookie Spencer Jones to score after an RBI triple, a run that proved decisive in New York's 5-4 win.
Sale rarely balks. The call on Saturday was just the third of his major league career, and the first in years.
Crew chief Dan Bellino told a pool reporter after Saturday's game that the balk was issued because Sale did not properly declare he was pitching from the windup. Bellino said Sale had used the windup when striking out José Caballero but failed to announce it before his next at-bat against Austin Wells.
The argument over the call extended past the final out on Saturday. Braves manager Walt Weiss was also ejected, apparently after stepping in to defend Sale as the pitcher continued to shout at Merzel.
Sunday's fallout came quickly. As umpires took the field for the finale, Sale was still visibly upset and began yelling toward Merzel before Yankees starter Cam Schlittler had thrown his first pitch. Merzel ejected Sale on the spot, and the left-hander continued to shout as he left the field, directing comments at Bellino as well.
Sale was not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game, having pitched six innings the night before, allowing three runs on five hits. The loss to New York was his first defeat since late June.
Despite his absence from the dugout, the Braves salvaged the series on Sunday, beating the Yankees 2-1 in extra innings.
Sale has been a key part of Atlanta's strong season. He entered the weekend with a 2.20 ERA across 21 starts, helping the Braves stay atop the National League East.
