Cubs acting manager Andy Green lost his cool in the sixth inning against the Pirates after a throwing error on a potential double play let a run score and extended the inning. Green wanted the umpires to review the slide at second base, thinking it may have interfered with the throw, but he was out of challenges and it wasn’t yet the eighth inning. When he asked crew chief Tom Hallion to initiate a crew chief review, Hallion refused, saying the slide was legal. Green argued the throw was so bad it had to be interference, but Hallion cut him off and eventually tossed him for continuing to press the issue.
Green didn’t leave quietly. He threw his hat, yelled about the situation, and accused Hallion of overstepping by ejecting him while he was walking away. Hallion responded by saying he warned Green and told him to stop. Their argument turned personal, with Green accusing the umpire of refusing to admit he was wrong and Hallion snapping back with “I know more than you.” The whole exchange was tense, with another umpire stepping in to escort Green off the field.
To make matters worse for the Cubs, the next batter hit a home run that tied the game. What looked like an easy inning-ending double play turned into a meltdown both on the scoreboard and in the dugout. The ejection and the blown lead capped a frustrating sequence for Chicago.