Garrett Richards’ fifth-inning 0-2 curveball floated inside as Kevin Cron stuck out his left elbow. That was how home plate umpire Mark Ripperger saw it, and why he called Arizona’s designated hitter back to the plate in the fifth inning of Sunday’s game at Petco Park.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo didn’t see it that way and came out of the dugout to dispute the call. Lovullo did not exactly lose his cool during a heated conversation but became the first manager this season to be ejected.
His mask was on. He also made sure to stay several strides away from Ripperger, who was without a mask, while arguing his point.