A.J. Hinch had to be restrained Wednesday night by Astros bench coach Joe Espada while arguing with umpire Ron Kulpa. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Ron Kulpa is Public Enemy No. 1 in Houston Astros fandom and even among some baseball-media types still miffed about the dust-up the umpire had Wednesday with Astros manager A.J. Hinch.
Hinch was sent to an early shower, along with hitting coach Alex Cintron, for arguing balls and strikes in the second inning. After Cintron was given the thumb following a strike against batter Tyler White, Kulpa stared into the Astros’ dugout and tossed Hinch one Mike Minor pitch later.