Rodney tossed from spring game after argument

PEORIA, Ariz. -- New Mariners closer Fernando Rodney had a brief outing Saturday, giving up two runs with just one out in the fifth inning of a 13-6 loss to the Giants before being ejected by home-plate umpire Adam Hamari.

Hamari called a ball on Rodney's second pitch to Tyler Colvin, raising an objection from the 37-year-old Rodney.

"I said that was a strike," Rodney said. "He said that's enough and I said, 'That's a strike. What's wrong?' And he threw me out."

Rodney, an 11-year Major League veteran, said it was the first time he'd been ejected in his career, though he apparently forgot a 2010 regular-season game for the Angels when he got tossed while pitching against the Dodgers.

As manager Lloyd McClendon went out to talk to Hamari, Rodney approached home plate and had to be escorted away by catcher Mike Zunino.

Did he think it was an overreaction from Hamari, who made his Major League debut last season?

"Yeah, because he knew he was wrong," Rodney said. "It was a strike. I looked at the video and it was right there in the middle."

McClendon was surprised by the ejection as well.

"I'm still not sure," McClendon said. "He said it was a strike. The umpire said it wasn't. He said, 'Yeah it was down the middle.' And he threw him out."

Quick hook by the umpire?

"I thought it was for a Spring Training game," McClendon said. "I didn't think it was necessary and I told him that."

Rodney said he felt fine despite hitting a batter and giving up a single and double with just one out while throwing 13 pitches in his fourth outing of the spring.