Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon calls out umpires after Monday’s game

On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates had to burn through their bullpen after a questionable ejection. Jameson Taillon was not pleased.

The Pittsburgh Pirates game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday became heated almost from the beginning. Pittsburgh starter Joe Musgrove threw a pitch inside to Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson, grazing his jersey. The benches cleared after Donaldson and Musgrove began jawing at one another, leading to both of their ejections, as well as the ejection of manager Clint Hurdle.

With the Pirates starter gone after that pitch, injured pitcher Jameson Taillon had some thoughts about the quality of umpiring in the game.

One could certainly argue that Musgrove was just pitching inside. With a runner on third and two out at that point in the game, he was likely looking to keep Donaldson from being able to extend his arms. Pitching inside, and looking to jam the Braves third baseman, would be a viable plan of attack to get out of the inning.

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Instead, that pitch came a bit too far inside, brushing Donaldson’s jersey. Donaldson was not actually hit himself, his jersey absorbing the contact entirely. Maybe warnings could have been issued after the jawing between Musgrove and Donaldson, but there was nothing in that moment, or the benches clearing, that would have led to an ejection.

In the end, the Pirates suffered a 14-7 defeat, the bullpen unable to handle the task before them. Alex McRae threw 95 pitches in his 4.1 innings, and will likely be sent to AAA for the Pirates to have a fresh arm. Of course, given that Musgrove only threw 18 pitches, he could potentially be available to take another turn in the rotation in the next day or two.

Major League Baseball certainly has questions when it comes to the quality of their umpiring. With the likes of Angel Hernandez, Joe West, Laz Diaz, and Ted Barrett in the game, those questions certainly stand out. And when an umpire throws a player out of the game for something that minuscule, it can change the game, and the series.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon wants more accountability for MLB umpires. After last night’s game, he has a point.