Projo Sox Blog

Terry Francona was tossed from today's Angels-Sox game in the top of the 10th inning for something he yelled from the dugout after home plate umpire Bill Miller issued a questionable call on a pitch to Julio Lugo.

Lugo was ahead in the count, 3-0, but pitcher Jose Arredondo threw an inside pitch that appeared to be off the plate. Lugo started to take his base, then halted as Miller called the strike. Francona appeared to yell something from the dugout, and was instantly ejected from the game. He came out to jaw with Miller for over a minute before retreating to the clubhouse.

"I just thought his plate was inconsistent. I don't enjoy going out there yelling. But I didn't agree with a lot - I thought it was inconsistent," Francona said.

Lugo doubled soon after to center fielder Torii Hunter, but was caught beween second and third on Jacoby Ellsbury's single. Ellsbury advanced to second while Lugo was run down. It looked as if Dustin Pedroia would bring him home with a line drive to center, but Torii Hunter chased the ball down for a crucial out, leaving the game tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the 10th.

Lugo expressed some empathy over what was likely a blown call.

"Each umpire is different. Some guys call one zone, some guys call another zone. You can't really blame it on them. They're human beings, just like everybody else," Lugo said.

 Tags  Dan Barbarisi Dustin Pedroia Julio Lugo Terry Francona

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