Wake up you guys!

[Sal Giaco]

I"ll take a stab at this but I can only speculate since I wasn't there...

The home plate umpire was Travis Reininger, a AAA/MLB call up. Brady Clark, the first batter of the game, took a 1-0 pitch for a called strike on the outside corner. Clark took exception to the call by walking away from the plate and taking a little extra time before getting back in the box. Tim Timmons, the first base umpire, thought that Clark was showing up the "rookie" Reininger by "silently" arguing what was, at that time, only the second pitch of the game.

So, after Clark grounded out to first base, Timmons stuck up for his partner by yelling at Clark. I think Timmons wanted to make sure Clark understood that he was not going to take advantage of his young partner behind the plate, especially on the second pitch of the ball game. Clark was not ejected because he really didn't do or say anything that would cause him to be ejected but Timmons wanted to let him know that his actions at the plate were not appreciated. A few batters later, Timmons missed a close play at first base and the fireworks ensued with a couple of ejections.

I think Timmons heart was in the right place in that he wanted to protect his young partner. Unfortuneatly, he went about it in the wrong way and it hurt him in the end. I think his emotions were running high after that exchange with Clark which may have caused him to lose his focus later in the inning. I applaud him for having Reininger's back but unfortunately, I think the way he went about it blew up on him.

A wise man once told me that when it comes to officiating, you're always just one play away from being the lead story on Sports Center.

Just my 2 cents