John Bazemore/AP Photos
ATLANTA – Cubs manager Craig Counsell strode across the infield, right past starter Shota Imanaga on the pitcher’s mound, in a beeline toward first base umpire Junior Valentine.
“I was curious why I was thrown out,” Counsell said after the Cubs’ 2-0 loss to the Braves.
Valentine was responsible for ruling on Braves hitter Ronald Acuña Jr.’s check swing in the fourth inning, saying that he didn’t offer. So, Imanaga was down in the count 3-1 against Acuña, with the bases loaded in a scoreless game.