Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was ejected from the Diamondbacks’ Wednesday road game against the San Diego Padres for disputing a balk call.
With runners at first and second and one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Arizona rookie pitcher Jose Cabrera tried to spin off the rubber and fake a throw to second, where Fernando Tatis Jr. stood after walking and stealing second.
Plate umpire Willie Traynor ruled that Cabrera didn’t step toward second and also indicated that his knee buckled, both of which constitute balks. Lovullo came out to argue the call and earned his first ejection of the year.
Bench coach Jeff Banister took over for Lovullo as acting manager.
Moments after the balk call, Xander Bogaerts grounded a two-run single to left, increasing San Diego’s lead to 4-1.
