Frustrated Gomez, Counsell get tossed

SAN FRANCISCO -- Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez and manager Craig Counsell were ejected during a ninth inning Monday with no runs but a heavy dose of drama in the waning moments of a 4-2 loss to the Giants at AT&T Park.

Gomez led off with a single under first baseman Brandon Belt's glove and attempted a steal of second base, despite the Brewers trailing by two runs. The initial call was safe, but the Giants challenged and won to the dismay of Gomez, who spiked his helmet and was ejected. When Counsell argued that the punishment did not fit the crime, he was ejected, too -- marking the first time in 17 years as a Major League player or manager that Counsell was sent to the showers.

"It's stupid because I'm not even looking at the umpire," Gomez said. "I never argue about pitches, about calls, about nothing, and you throw your helmet when you're frustrated and [ticked] off, they throw you out? That means, like, the next night you don't respect the guy.

"Early in the game, they called me on a check swing, and [it was] not even close, and I'm smiling and making a joke with him. Then I throw my helmet and throw me out of the game? How do you respect the game, how do you respect the umpires, with stuff like that?"

Even after seeing replays on the giant video board, Gomez believed he was safe. He said he was frustrated about what Gomez perceives as a high percentage of replays going against him.

"How many outs do I get called on the stupid replay? A lot. By not even a hair," Gomez said. "So I'm frustrated, I throw my helmet, and they throw me out for that when I'm not even arguing to the umpire?"

Counsell played 1,665 Major League games including postseasons without being ejected. Monday marked his 75th game as Brewers manager.

Asked about finally drawing an ejection, Counsell said, "That's a great news story."

He had only a bit more to say about Gomez's decision to attempt a steal of second base with the Brewers trailing by two and power hitter Khris Davis batting with no outs.

"You can't get thrown out there," Counsell said twice.

Video: MIL@SF: Gomez reaches first with infield single

Gomez was 0-for-9 with eight strikeouts against Sergio Romo before reaching Monday. After the game, Gomez did not back off his decision to run.

"I think there's a good chance if I get another base, and [Romo] is a guy who throws a lot of balls around the plate, that Khris can get a better pitch to hit," he said. "That's how you wake your team up. If I get safe, everybody starts to feel better and maybe you can change the game around."