Irate David Ortiz ejected after ninth-inning strikeout vs. Yankees

ByABC News
May 6, 2016, 10:44 PM

— -- An irate David Ortiz had to be held back by manager John Farrell and other members of the Boston Red Sox after charging out of the dugout and arguing a called third strike with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning Friday night in the Bronx. 

Down 3-2, the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out against New York Yankees closer Andrew Miller

When plate umpire Ron Kulpa called a 3-and-1 pitch for a questionable strike, Ortiz turned around and voiced his displeasure at the call, drawing Farrell out of the dugout. The manager was ejected. 

On-deck hitter Hanley Ramirez tried to calm down Ortiz, who got back in the box and then took a called third strike.

Ortiz walked back to the dugout chirping and then was ejected from the game, prompting him to charge out in protest of Kulpa as Farrell and teammates tried to intervene. 

Ramirez then struck out swinging to end the game, as the Yankees claimed the series opener  3-2

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Kulpa had 31 missed calls Friday night, tied for the seventh most in a game this season, and the called third strike on Ortiz was 5½ inches below the strike zone. 

"I think anyone who watched that ninth inning and how it unfolded knows what happened in that inning," Farrell said after the game. 

"I disagreed with a couple of calls that were made. Obviously an argument ensued, and we had differing opinions." 

Ortiz, who will retire at season's end, hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Michael Pineda. He has hit 452 of his 510 home runs for Boston, tied with Carl Yastrzemski for second among Red Sox behind Ted Williams (521). Ortiz has hit 50 homers against the Yankees.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.