Sveum finds himself ejected on leadoff batter
Cubs manager argues checked-swing call, tossed for sixth time in 2013
LOS ANGELES -- Cubs manager Dale Sveum was ejected in the first inning of Wednesday's 4-0 loss for arguing a checked-swing call during Dodgers leadoff batter Yasiel Puig's at-bat.
The count was 2-2, and Chicago starter Edwin Jackson thought the Dodgers outfielder had gone around on the next pitch, a fastball. Sveum challenged the call, and was ejected by first-base umpire Lance Barksdale.
"Obviously, you don't want to get thrown out for something like that in the first inning," Sveum said. "We said our piece and [Barksdale] had his head in our dugout for 30 seconds, and I don't think that's right. We said our piece, we didn't like it, and we were done. He kept his head in our dugout waiting for somebody to say something else. Unfortunately, I did."
It was Sveum's sixth ejection this season, and it's the earliest in a game that he's been tossed this year.
"I thought [Puig] went," Jackson said, "but [Barksdale] called him safe. As a pitcher, you try not to get too caught up in that. You try to keep peace and stay within yourself so you can get ready to face the next batter."