WATCH: Reds manager David Bell gets ejected after called third strike on Elly De La Cruz despite keeping a calm demeanor
The Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz and their manager, David Bell, were victims of questionable umpiring when they faced the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park on Thursday evening. Bell received a swift ejection from the home-plate umpire for remonstrating a third strike call on Elly De La Cruz even though he had maintained a composed demeanor while doing so.
The Talkin' Baseball podcast posted a brief video clip of the incident on their official profile on X, formerly called Twitter.
The Reds were in Miami for the decisive clash of their three-game series against the Marlins, with both teams having one win apiece. The contest was tied 3-3 at the top of the seventh inning as Elly De La Cruz stepped up to the plate for the Reds with the bases empty and two outs. Relief pitcher Andrew Nardi was on the mound for the Marlins and had struck out the previous two batters in the inning.
Being a switch-hitter, De La Cruz was batting right-handed to face the southpaw Nardi. On a two-strike count, Nardi threw a backdoor breaking ball directed low and away from the hitter, and De La Cruz did not offer a swing at it. The pitch passed just below the strike zone graphic on live television, but home plate umpire Bill Miller judged it as a strike and called the batter out.
De La Cruz was not happy with the decision and had a polite chat with Miller about the call at the half-inning break, which ended quite amicably.
Reds manager David Bell also came out slowly from the dugout to have a conversation with the official. Bell was composed as he spoke, but he barely uttered a sentence when the home plate umpire tossed him out of the game.
Elly De La Cruz kickstarts late onslaught from the Reds to win in extra innings
Despite losing their manager at a crucial stage, the Cincinnati Reds held their nerve to eventually register a comfortable 10-4 victory over the Miami Marlins in extra innings.
Elly De La Cruz hit a crucial infield single to load up the bases for the Reds before the Marlins completely fell apart with their defense and allowed the opposition to score seven runs in the 10th inning.
As a result, the Reds claimed their ninth win from the last 15 games and improved their record to 56-59 for the season. Nevertheless, their playoff chances are almost nonexistent, as they are in last place in the National League Central and have a five-game deficit to overcome for the last Wild Card berth.
Meanwhile, Elly De La Cruz continues to show improvement in his phenomenal abilities after earning his maiden All-Star call-up this year. The 22-year-old is currently batting .265/.351/.500 with an OPS of .851 in his first full season in the major leagues. De La Cruz has also produced 53 extra-base hits, including 20 home runs, while he leads all of MLB with 58 stolen bases.