Redmond ejected for arguing play at plate

ST. LOUIS -- First-year Marlins manager Mike Redmond collected his second ejection on Saturday after disputing an out call at home plate.

Redmond protested a bang-bang play at the plate in which Adeiny Hechavarria was called out by umpire Bill Welke in the fourth inning against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

It turned out being crucial in Miami's 5-4 loss to the Cardinals.

Hechavarria, who reached on shortstop Daniel Descalso's throwing error, was on third with one out and Nathan Eovaldi at the plate. St. Louis played its infield in, and Eovaldi tapped Joe Kelly's offering to second base.

Hechavarria raced home, as Matt Carpenter threw to the plate.

Hechavarria didn't have the cleanest slide to the back of the plate, and he was tagged on the back by catcher Tony Cruz. Welke ruled out, and Redmond sprinted from the dugout in protest.

The manager had a heated exchange with Welke, who signaled for the ejection.

"I thought he was clearly safe," Redmond said. "I don't know that he even tagged him. From the side the slide, he was way in front of the tag. That's it. I thought he was clearly safe."

TV replays showed Redmond had an argument and that Hechavarria's foot crossed the plate before the tag. Miami led 4-2 at the time a potential fifth run was wiped away.

A former big league catcher, Redmond drew his first ejection on June 22 at San Francisco, arguing a confusing fan interference play.

For the second straight day Redmond had a dispute with the Fieldin Culbreth's umpiring crew. Culbreth, the crew chief, was at the center of a disputed botched bunt play in St. Louis' 4-1 win on Friday night.

No ejections took place during Friday's game, but Redmond argued that Jacob Turner's bunt attempt was foul. Instead it was ruled fair, and St. Louis picked up a double play.

"We have two days where we have two calls go against us, it's tough to beat these guys on the road, especially when you're not getting any breaks," Redmond said.

Hechavarria also was part of Friday's disputed play. He was called out on a force play at third base on what would have been a tag situation.

"I knew that run was going to be big," Redmond said of the out on Saturday. "You can only take so much, right? I think about those guys in the dugout and they're busting their butt. You got to stick up for those guys, too."