Tensions flared late in the Cincinnati Reds’ 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday when both manager Terry Francona and pitcher Nick Martinez were ejected in the ninth inning.
The drama unfolded after a contentious called third strike on Reds infielder Matt McLain. Martinez, from the dugout, vocally disagreed with the call and was tossed by home plate umpire Carlos Torres. Francona then stormed out to argue the decision and was also ejected after a heated exchange.
Watch the incident here:
Reds manager Terry Francona and pitcher Nick Martinez were both ejected after this strike three call pic.twitter.com/HV9gXKhLBJ
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 29, 2025
This marked Francona’s 52nd career ejection, placing him third among active MLB managers in that category.
Royals Avoid Sweep With Clutch Win
Despite the fireworks, the Royals walked away with a much-needed win to avoid a series sweep. Rookie starter Noah Cameron was solid on the mound, going 6 -1/3 innings and allowing just one run. Bobby Witt Jr. delivered the big hit with a go-ahead RBI double that gave Kansas City the edge.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MLB stories via Google! Follow Us
For the Reds, Hunter Greene allowed two runs over five innings, and Spencer Steer brought in a run with a single in the sixth. They cut the lead to one in the eighth but couldn’t close the gap. The loss ended Cincinnati’s chance for a three-game sweep after back-to-back wins to open the series.
The Reds (28-29) will look to bounce back as they continue their road trip, while the Royals (30-27) aim to build on this win with tougher tests ahead. As for Francona, he will be hoping for fewer arguments and more wins in the coming weeks.
Also Read: MLB Analyst Breaks Down Juan Soto’s Bat Speed Metrics And It’s Bad News For Mets Fans
