Diamondbacks’ Madison Bumgarner ejected after just one inning following heated exchange with umpire

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner gave up a home run to lead off the bottom of the first inning against the Marlins in Miami on Wednesday in matinee action. He then recorded three outs, but wouldn’t make it into the dugout before being ejected from the game. 

Bumgarner appeared to be a bit less-than-enthused over at least one call from home plate umpire Ryan Wills. The ensuing now-standard “sticky stuff” check of his hands resulted in a quick exchange of words before Bumgarner got the heave-ho from first base umpire Dan Bellino. The veteran lefty was heated and needed to be restrained. 

To the action footage: 

The Diamondbacks would respond with an 8-7 win, on the strength of a five-run third inning, to sweep the Marlins. 

Both Bumgarner and the Diamondbacks have been rolling, surprisingly, of late. The D-Backs started 3-8 after coming into the season expected to be one of the worst teams in baseball, but they’ve now won 10 of their last 15 and have evened things up at 13-13. 

After the game, Bumgarner declined to mention the specifics of what was said. 

“I know why I got thrown out, yes,” he said (via Bally Sports Arizona). “I don’t know if I can say anything that would make the situation better, so what I’m gonna say is I’m extremely proud of our team coming back and winning today because I put us in a big hole there. Obviously you didn’t go into the game with the intention of throwing one inning, so for them to be able to fight and everyone picked me up today, for that to happen that’s pretty incredible. Very proud.” 

“You’ve seen the video,” was just about all he would say about the ejection. 

Bumgarner, 32, had a 5.07 ERA in 35 starts in his first two years with Arizona, but so far this season in six starts, he’s pitched to a 1.50 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 24 innings.