Don Mattingly got tossed in the fifth inning after a strike call lit a fire in the dugout. The pitch was borderline low, but the ump gave it a strike. The catcher turned to the dugout, clearly questioning the call. Mattingly started chirping from the bench, and the umpire wasn’t having it. After a few heated words and a string of F-bombs, Mattingly got ejected. Mics picked up most of the exchange, making it clear he thought the call was trash.
The umpire stayed composed, even removing his helmet like he knew what was coming. One pitch later, Flowers knocked a hit, but the next two batters went down, ending the rally. The moment didn’t change the game much, but it made for good drama. Mattingly’s outburst probably earned him a stack of angry letters, but his frustration over the strike zone felt justified. The ball was low, and both the pitcher and catcher wanted the call. It just depends on how generous the ump wants to be with the knees. Either way, tempers flared and the hot mic caught every word.