Joey Votto Goes Nuts on Ump After Being Thrown out of Game

Tensions ran high at Great American Ball Park when Reds first baseman Joey Votto was ejected in the eighth inning of Cincinnati's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Pitcher Tony Watson dealt a called second strike on the outside corner to Votto, who argued umpire Bill Welke's call on the 1-1 pitch and was ultimately thrown out.

That's when things escalated. Votto slammed his helmet to the ground and tossed his bat before getting in Welke's face in a series of events that extended more than a minute.

Manager Bryan Price was also ejected for arguing the strike call.

Votto struck out twice in three at-bats, and the loss dropped the Reds to 57-81 on the season.

[MLB]

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