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Friday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers is huge for the Mets, so when a home plate umpire has an inconsistent strike zone they are going to hear it, and it came to a head in this one.
With the Mets down 5-2, Francisco Alvarez came up as the tying run with men on first and second base and two outs. Alvarez battled to get to a 3-2 count against Brewers starter Frankie Montas, fouling off multiple pitches. However, in the 10th pitch of the at-bat, Montas threw a pitch that appeared low and out of the strike zone. Alvarez took off for first, thinking he walked, when Ramon De Jesus rang up the young backstop.
Alvarez jumped and threw his batting helmet to the ground while yelling at the home plate umpire. Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza came out to make sure his catcher wasn’t ejected but gave De Jesus a piece of his mind. That’s when De Jesus ejected Mendoza.
“Not at all [surprised I was ejected],” Mendoza said after the game. “I went out there and needed to protect Alvy.”
“I think I was doing too much,” Alvarez said. “He’s just missing a pitch. He’s a person too. I really don’t have to do that. I’m going to say sorry tomorrow, and let’s keep going”
It was simply a poor performance from De Jesus. His inconsistency potentially cost starter Sean Manaea in the first inning, calling a few borderline pitches balls and resulting in two walks. The Brewers took advantage to plate four runs.
In the Alvarez at-bat, the first pitch looked to be low and outside was called a strike.
“They have a tough job. I know they’re working really hard,” Mendoza said later. “I didn’t agree with it. He didn’t have a good game behind the plate. Not only was that call but there were some other calls I wasn’t happy with. I know they try but we gotta move on.”
Friday was the second time this season — and his managerial career- that Mendoza has been ejected.
The first time occurred on July 12 arguing balls and strikes in a game at Citi Field against the Rockies.
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