Manager Melvin ejected from game vs. Astros

OAKLAND -- A's manager Bob Melvin was ejected by home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the fourth inning of Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Astros.

Melvin raced from the dugout in the middle of Jason Castro's leadoff at-bat against lefty Drew Pomeranz to share several words with Wolcott, who was thought to have an inconsistent strike zone in the early stages of the game.

It's the first ejection of the season for Melvin but second time he's been run by Wolcott in 10 months.

"I think both teams had some issues with it in that game," Melvin said. "That happened to me the first time I said something. Some other guys were saying something, I think on both sides, but maybe he thought I was a little more demonstrative than anybody else. He's thrown me out before for that.

Former A's reliever Luke Gregerson, now with the Astros, was on the mound for Oakland when Melvin was ejected by Wolcott last year.

"I absolutely knew it was the wrong call, and I lost my cool a little bit and was yelling at the guy," Gregerson said. "Before I could get two words out, Melvin was there and getting thrown out for me."