NESN’s Lou Merloni criticizes ‘combative’ umpire during Walker Buehler’s ejection

The main job of a Major League Baseball umpire is to get the calls right. Another job is to defuse tense situations. During Tuesday night’s game between the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, umpire Mike Estabrook did neither — at least according to NESN color analyst, Lou Merloni.

Boston pitcher Walker Buehler and manager Alex Cora were both ejected in the third inning of the game. The controversy stemmed from Buehler’s 1-0 pitch to Juan Soto. New York’s Francisco Lindor, who was on first, stole second on the pitch. Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez quickly popped up to make the throw. In doing so, he might have blocked Estabrook’s view of the pitch. Because while Buehler’s offering was clearly in the strike zone, Estabrook called the pitch a ball. The umpire took exception to Buehler’s frustration with the call and, after a brief exchange, ejected the pitcher. Cora, who came out of the dugout to continue Buehler’s argument, was also ejected.

Merloni was critical of Buehler for not composing himself better, noting that with long reliever Sean Newcomb unavailable, Buehler’s early ejection put the Red Sox in a “bad spot.” But he also criticized umpire Estabrook for his actions. While Buehler was upset with the call, he voiced his frustration from the pitcher’s mound. Estabrook quickly took his mask off and began walking toward the mound, at which point Buehler began walking toward the plate.

“The problem I have here with Estabrook, Walker Buehler says something to him when he’s on the dirt. But when the mask comes off, you’re very confrontational,” Merloni said.

“When the mask comes off, you’re very confrontational…When the mask comes off and you’re aggressively coming at him, it’s very combative. You’re escalating it.”

Lou Merloni reacts to umpire Mike Estabrook ejecting Walker Buehler. pic.twitter.com/Taw13lJGCk

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“Walker Buehler’s been in the league a while,” Merloni added. “You know you missed the pitch. He has something to say to you from the rubber. That’s fine. But when the mask comes off and you’re aggressively coming at him, it’s very combative. And you’re escalating it.”