HOUSTON -- The Tigers' Justin Upton was ejected by home-plate umpire Rob Drake after the outfielder was called out looking at a third strike to end the top of the seventh inning during Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Astros.
Upton tossed his bat and appeared to exchange words with Drake. Trailing by a run, Detroit had a runner on first base with two outs when Upton took a 1-2 pitch up in the zone. Drake rung him up and Upton immediately expressed his disbelief.
"He was mad at the call," said manager Brad Ausmus. "From my angle, it looked like it was a little up, so I understand the frustration. A close game and he's the go-ahead run."
It had already been a frustrating weekend for the outfielder, who finished the series 1-for-13 with five strikeouts. Upton had also previously expressed irritation with the strike zone in Houston after an eighth-inning K on Saturday.
It was the first ejection of the season for Upton.