The Boston Red Sox claimed a series win against the New York Mets, one of the National League's best teams, on May 20, on the back of six-plus scoreless innings from the bullpen. But the story of the game was Walker Buehler's ejection.
The pitcher was tossed from his first start in nearly a month after 2.1 scoreless innings for arguing balls and strikes. Home plate umpire Mike Estabrook ran onto the infield grass to argue back with Buehler, which pulled the righty off the mound to defend his position. Estabrook ejected Buehler after he left the mound, and umpiring crew chief Laz Diaz explained after the game that players can argue balls and strikes, but cannot leave their position to do so. The night was over for Buehler the moment he stepped off the hill.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive Tweeted Diaz's explanation for the ejection after the game, to which Buehler took issue. He responded: "Who cut the distance?"
Buehler's comments about his final ball, which should've been called a strike, were confrontational, but Estabrook took the tiff to another level when he stormed into the infield to respond. Buehler didn't leave his post on the mound until the umpire removed his mask and began approaching him.
Red Sox's Walker Buehler defends ejection against Mets with comments on Twitter
Regardless of Estabrook's infractions, the Red Sox needed Buehler in their May 20 game longer. Boston had lost five of its last six games before its series against the Mets and its offense hasn't been good enough to keep the bullpen afloat. The Sox only scored two runs after Buehler's ejection — luckily, New York's offense is in a severe slump.
The Red Sox could get even luckier on May 21. The bullpen has been nearly fully used in the opening two games of their series with the Mets (Liam Hendriks remains available), but Garrett Crochet will take the mound to close the deal on Wednesday. Crochet has posted a 2.00 ERA over 63 innings of work, and five of his 10 starts have gone into the seventh inning or later. If any Boston starter could save the bullpen and collect a sweep, it's Crochet, and if he does, Buehler's ejection will have been harmless.
Since the Red Sox won after Buehler was ejected, the team and fans can look back on his confrontation with Estabrook and laugh. The emotions after the game may have been different if the bullpen couldn't hold it down for the final 6.2 innings, but since they got the job done, Buehler's trolling on Twitter is pretty funny.