It didn’t take the umpires in this past Wednesday’s game with the Atlanta Braves long to get together and decide that Sean Nolin, after firing one pitch behind Freddie Freeman’s back, and then following up with one to Freeman’s hip, had done so intentionally, and the veteran left-hander was tossed from the game just eight pitches in.
It seemed like an obvious response to what appeared to be a purpose pitch the previous night from Braves’ reliever Will Smith to Juan Soto’s ribs, but as per usual, Nolin did not acknowledge that it was intentional in his post game Q&A with reporters.