Max Scherzer was ejected from his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers after protesting a second foreign substances check by umpires in as many innings.
The New York Mets needing to go to their bullpen in the bottom of the fourth resulted in the Dodgers taking a 1-0 lead on David Peralta’s sacrifice fly.
Frustration for Scherzer initially began when first-base umpire Phil Cuzzi stopped Scherzer for a sticky check on his way to the mound in the bottom of the third inning. Cuzzi then took Scherzer’s glove for inspection as a conversation with the fiery right-hander and Mets manager Buck Showalter continued.
Scherzer was sent to get a new glove, which he appeared frustrated with but obliged. However, home-plate umpire Dan Bellino and Cuzzi then did another check on Scherzer and his glove prior to the bottom of the fourth inning starting.
Scherzer was much more animated in that conversation and appeared to insist the substance in question was merely rosin.
The umpires were not convinced and Cuzzi ejected Scherzer, who stormed around in foul territory prior to walking off the field to a chorus of boos from Dodgers fans.
Scherzer was the subject of contested foreign substances checks last season at the request of former Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Giradi. Umpires determined there weren’t an illegal substances being used, and Girardi was ejected after exchanging words with Scherzer.
It’s unclear if Dodgers manager Dave Roberts or any player alerted the umpiring crew of a need to check Scherzer. Wednesday was his first start against the Dodgers since signing a record-setting contract with the Mets.
Dave Roberts expected best from Max Scherzer
With Scherzer facing his former team and Noah Syndergaard doing the same, Roberts anticipated both pitchers having added motivation.
“I think there’s an anticipation. For me, the anticipation is Max is going to want to throw really well against us here at Dodger Stadium. And I think Noah, knowing that everyone on the East Coast is going to be watching this game against his former team, he wants to show well too,” Roberts said.
“I don’t think either player would say that, but there’s the competitor in both of them that you want to show well against your former ballclub. So for me, the anticipation is to see the fire and compete in both those guys. The expectation is for our club to follow Noah’s inner fire as far as following what Clayton did.
“That’s what I’m counting on.”
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