In a bizarre and intense sequence during the Houston Astros’ 4-3 extra-inning win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night, star second baseman Jose Altuve was ejected after removing his cleat and sock in a protest over a controversial call. Altuve had grounded out in the ninth inning but believed he had fouled the ball off his foot. In a dramatic attempt to prove his point, he removed his footwear to show the umpires where the ball had allegedly struck him. However, his actions led to an ejection by home plate umpire Brennan Miller.
Altuve’s protest stemmed from a pivotal moment in the game, with the Astros having the winning run in scoring position. “It’s the ninth inning, the winning run is on second base, and I’m battling against a good pitcher,” Altuve explained. He expressed frustration with the umpires for not recognizing that the ball had hit his foot, affecting its trajectory. “I don’t think that can happen,” he added, alluding to the missed call that could have potentially altered the game’s outcome.
Astros manager Joe Espada was also ejected after continuing to argue with the umpires following Altuve’s dismissal. Espada was visibly upset, asserting, “It’s a foul ball… You have to see the ball once it hits the foot.” He highlighted the missed opportunity to make the correct call, emphasizing the importance of such decisions in critical moments of the game.
Despite the chaotic turn of events, the Astros managed to pull off the win. Grae Kessinger, who replaced Altuve, scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning after starting as the automatic runner. Kessinger then made a stellar defensive play to secure the victory, stopping a ground ball hit by Manny Machado and flipping it to Jeremy Peña for the final out.
The Padres, meanwhile, missed the chance to gain ground in the National League playoff race, staying 3.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West standings. The loss was a significant setback as they continue to battle for a wildcard spot.
