Dave Martinez and Howie Kendrick were both ejected in the eight inning of Thursday's Nationals game against the Mets.
Kendrick was tossed in the top of the eighth for arguing with home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman, after a called strike three on which Kendrick thought he'd checked his swing.
Martinez tore out of the Nats dugout on a beeline for Dreckman to give him a piece of his mind. Once Dreckman had heard enough, he gave Martinez the heave-ho, lighting a spark in the Nats skipper, inciting him to kick dirt onto home plate and slam his cap to the ground in a fuss, finally showing the intensity many fans had been waiting to see.
#Nats skipper Dave Martinez showing some FIRE sticking up for his boys! (via @SNYtv) pic.twitter.com/Dnxh5xU9iE
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan)
May 23, 2019 Here's how it sounded on the radio call:
The Nationals responded in kind, scoring three runs in the inning to take a 4-3 lead.
GERARDO.PARRA.PINCH-HIT.GO-AHEAD.2-RUN.SINGLE.TOP 8 // #Nats 4, Mets 3 pic.twitter.com/Dq6hnhLt3w
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals)
May 23, 2019 Martinez left behind a confusing mess of musical chairs with his ejection, because usual third base coach Bob Henley was out today for his daughter's graduation.
So, Davey Martinez has been ejected. Bench coach Chip Hale is at 3B today because Bobby Henley is at his daughter's graduation. Assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon is serving as bench coach. Does that technically make Dillon manager the rest of this game?
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman)
May 23, 2019 Wander Suero will start the bottom of the 8th with the Nationals now clinging to a 4-3 lead. Chip Hale came out to make the double-switch, so even though he's coaching 3B he appears to also be managing.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman)
May 23, 2019 The renewed sense of vigor would only last so long, as Wander Suero gave up a three-run homer to Carlos Gomez with two outs in the bottom half of the inning, putting the Mets ahead 6-4.
That score would hold up, as the Nats were unable to score in the top of the ninth.
