Maddon ejected, Kazmir upset at umpire

Rays starter Scott Kazmir had several issues with home plate umpire Derryl Cousins after Wednesday's game, questioning not only some of the calls but accusing the veteran umpire of making "makeup calls" during some key at-bats.
The game turned when Cousins called a close pitch ball four on Reggie Willits in the seventh inning Wednesday and Maicer Izturis followed with a two-run single that put the Angels ahead 3-2.
   "That was unbelievable, I'd never seen anything like that before,'' Kazmir said. "I never said anything like this about an umpire before but that was just a crucial part of the game and you just don't do that. Makeup calls or not makeup calls - call it when it's there, you know what I mean? You shouldn't change your strike zone because of the count. It doesn't make sense.''

That was after Rays manager Joe Maddon was ejected from Wednesday's game after arguing with home plate umpire Derryl Cousins. Maddon had gone to the mound to remove Scott Kazmir, who had just given up the lead after throwing his 117th pitch of the day, and began jawing at Cousins. Based on Kazmir's reaction, he obviously felt Cousins didn't give him a couple of close calls, including a walk to Reggie Willits in advance of Macier Izturis' two-run single.
It was Maddon's eighth ejection as manager of the Rays; fourth against his former Angels team.

Comments

[Jeff]

How come whenever they Rays lose it's always because of a bad call or they were somehow cheated out of something... can't they just admit that sometimes they do get outplayed... I seriosly doubt the league and umpires have it out for them

[Edgar]

Kazmir did get screwed with that strike three call; they should had been out of the inning. Instead it was bases loaded; before that nobody mentions that Joe Maddon cost that game for not taking Kazmir out after that controversial call. He was tired and frustrated. Maddon left him in their too long and should had put in JP Howell to face Macier Izturus. How about the offense being patient at the plate and swing for the fences every time. In the 8th with 3-2 lead, I guess Crawford forgot how to bunt. He has speed to beat out an infield hit via bunt w/ runner on 1st. First pitch double play. I am sick of the home run or nothing offense. Maddon refuses to do that by bunting or hit and run. Their is a difference between great managers like La Russa and bad/mediocre managers like Maddon. He needs to read the book more on good baseball.

[Edgar]

Kazmir did get screwed with that strike three call; they should had been out of the inning. Instead it was bases loaded; before that nobody mentions that Joe Maddon cost that game for not taking Kazmir out after that controversial call. He was tired and frustrated. Maddon left him in their too long and should had put in JP Howell to face Macier Izturus. How about the offense being patient at the plate and swing for the fences every time. In the 8th with 3-2 lead, I guess Crawford forgot how to bunt. He has speed to beat out an infield hit via bunt w/ runner on 1st. First pitch double play. I am sick of the home run or nothing offense. Maddon refuses to do that. Their is a difference between great managers like La Russa and bad/mediocre managers like Maddon. He needs to read the book more on good baseball.

[HAROLD]

What I see most is a lack of consistency in the balls and strikes. I go to a lot of games and I watch every game i can on the tube And I gotta tell ya I know the friken strike zone. I see Boston getting calls their way at the expense of the Rays home and away. I see the Umps going after BJ Upton on a regular basis. How do you blow that call at second when BJ stole and he's on wis way up out of the slide and gets tagged in the chest?
I'll tell you how. They have him targeted. Pedroia Carries on Cussing and Yelling. Nothing happens. Youkilis cries every strike Nothing. How Did the
Third base coach for Boston Not get suspended for his roll in the melee? or Youk? He was in the middle of it.
Small market team vs World Champions?
I know the Umps have a tough Job But something stinks in hooville.

[Bill]

All out of town games should be televised.

[Dave]

Geez, wouldn't know, the game wasn't televised!!

[disgusted]

is it because mlb wants the yankees and red sox 1 and 2 in the al east?? is it because mlb wants either if not both those teams in the playoffs?? GEE I WONDER.

[Dan]

The officiating in all the professional sports has generally deteriorated over the years. I wonder if these officials feel left behind income-wise and consciously or unconsciously attempt to create a sense of self-importance. I understand how one can feel that way but, in their case, the outcome of a competitive event may be in the balance. The sports leagues ought not to permit this to persist, however, I see no interest in correcting the behaviors by the leagues. It is most depressing in basketball and hockey; less so in baseball and football.

[Paul]

Its clear that winning teams get more breaks from the Umps than losing teams. The Rays (as losers) have been on the short end of the stick forever.

But, it seems that the umpires haven't taken a look at the standings lately. The continuous bad calls against the Rays are incredible. I'm proud of BJ for getting tossed last week, Hinske a couple of days ago and Maddon today. BJ has been "worked over" this year, Hinske and Maddon are as even-keel as they come - for them to get tossed says a lot about inequity.

Meanwhile, the biggest whiners tend to be the ones who get the benefit of calls on a regular basis (and grow used to this treatment). The Angels are not in this group, but they did benefit from some really bad calls in this series.

[Brian]

You know, the media tends to be pretty circumspect when writing about questionable ball-strike calls, unless the umpiring dominates the story on an Eric Gregg level. I get that, but I wonder if this has reached elephant-in-the-room status. I can't believe that anyone who watches a lot of baseball nowadays could possibly think home-plate umps do an adequate job calling balls and strikes. Writing something like "The umpire screwed up the call" might not be very tactful, but it's not gonna say anything we readers don't already know.