TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista didn’t go quietly after being ejected from Friday’s game against Tampa Bay in the sixth inning.
Baseball’s reigning home run king tossed his bat, helmet, padding and a water bottle onto the field before leaving the dugout.
Bautista, who hit 54 homers last season and leads baseball with 37 this year, argued with home plate umpire Bill Welke after being called out on strikes in the first. He struck out swinging in the third, and lost his temper after going down swinging again in the sixth.
After walking back to the dugout, Bautista slammed the back wall with his bat, causing a loud bang that was heard throughout the stadium. He said something else to Welke, who then tossed him. Bautista responded by angrily tossing his equipment over the dugout railing.
Mark Teahen replaced Bautista in right field.
