Hurdle ejected after close play at the plate

By Tom Singer and Steven Petrella

May 18, 2013

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected from Saturday night's 4-2 loss against the Astros after Houston took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th inning.

Home-plate umpire C.B. Bucknor called Jason Castro safe at home when Matt Dominguez dribbled a ball to second base. Pirates catcher Russell Martin appeared to have the plate blocked with his left leg after fielding a throw from Neil Walker, but Castro got his foot down just before Martin applied the tag.

Bucknor ejected Hurdle after about a minute-long argument, prompting cheers from the crowd.

After the game, Hurdle said the call was right.

"I thought we had a play and weren't able to get an out," Hurdle said. "And then I went inside [the clubhouse to check on a replay] and the ump made the right call. He made a good call. He got a good look at it and he was right."

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer. Steven Petrella is an associate reporter for MLB.com.