The A’s were in Boston facing the Red Sox when things got heated. Jed Lowrie struck out on a borderline outside pitch, clearly frustrated with the ump’s strike zone. As he walked off, Ramón Laureano stepped in with some of that same energy. He took a first-pitch ball, then hacked away at the next two. On a 1-2 count, the pitcher came inside with a pitch that was clearly off the plate. The ump called it strike three. Even the pitch-tracking data backed Laureano — it was solidly inside.
Laureano didn’t say anything at first. He walked away, but his body language told the story. He tossed his bat and helmet toward the dugout. That’s when the ump had enough. After watching him closely, the ump tossed Laureano from the game. Technically, that could’ve been handled with just a fine for an equipment violation, but this home plate ump didn’t give him that option. He made it clear — throw your gear, get thrown out.
Laureano was furious. Based on his reaction, he didn’t think he did enough to warrant an ejection. He walked up to the ump, shouting what some think was “pick it up” or maybe something stronger. Either way, the fans in Boston enjoyed the drama. The game moved on without him, but the moment stood out as another example of how tight the strike zone and player reactions can shape a night at the ballpark.