Jose Altuve was ejected from Sunday’s game between his Houston Astros and the New York Mets at Citi Field in Queens, New York, following a heated protest over a missed call by the umpires.
In a critical moment, Altuve was at the plate with runners on second and third and two outs in the top of the 7th inning, with the Astros leading the Mets 4-2.
He swung at a 1-1 pitch, fouling it off his front foot. However, the umpires failed to notice that the ball had struck Altuve, allowing it to roll into fair territory. This led to an easy inning-ending out for the Mets, significantly impacting the game’s momentum.
Multiple video angles clearly show the ball hitting off Altuve’s foot before it bounced into fair territory.
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Despite this evidence, the umpires did not reverse their decision, leading to Altuve’s outburst. Known for his usually calm demeanor, Altuve erupted in anger over the missed call, particularly because it occurred during a crucial run-scoring opportunity for the Astros.
Following Altuve’s ejection, Mauricio Dubon took over at second base.
The missed call and subsequent ejection had immediate repercussions for the Astros. In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Mets capitalized on the situation, with Brandon Nimmo hitting a two-run home run to tie the game at 4-4.
Altuve’s rare display of fury underscored the significance of the blown call and its impact on the game’s outcome.
The incident highlighted the frustrations that can arise from umpiring errors, especially in high-stakes moments.
The Astros, who had been leading comfortably, found themselves in a tied game, altering the dynamic and increasing the pressure as they moved into the late innings.
