Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider was ejected from Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles for appearing to argue balls and strikes minutes after both benches cleared in a separate incident.
Jeff Nelson, the home-plate umpire, threw out Schneider after a pitch by Yimi Garcia in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The benches cleared after the top of the seventh when Bryan Baker struck out Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman, then looked at the Toronto dugout and made a yapping motion with his hand.
Baker appeared to exchange words with Teoscar Hernandez in the previous at-bat after the Blue Jays outfielder hit into a double play.
Hernandez was held back by an Oriole as the benches cleared.
Baltimore’s Rougned Odor, a villain in Toronto for his sucker punch of Jose Bautista in 2016, tried to play peacemaker, holding back Hernandez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Nelson then issued warnings to both teams.
After the game, Schneider was critical of Baker, a former Blue Jay, when talking to reporters.
“I didn’t understand why Bryan Baker was looking into our dugout after giving up a run on back-to-back days. We were just surprised and unsure of why Bryan was looking in our dugout. Again, it wasn’t the first time he’s done that. So, I think guys were fed up with it,” Schneider said.
Nelson was also at the centre of controversy Monday when he called a balk on Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman in the first game of a doubleheader while umping at second base. A livid Gausman went to argue before he was pulled back by Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette.
The Orioles claimed Baker off waivers from the Blue Jays following the 2021 season.
Baker told Baltimore reporters he has no issue with the Blue Jays as a team.
It was the second ejection for Schneider since he was named interim manager on July 13.
