Astros’ Jose Altuve Ejected After Removing Shoe and Sock

On September 18, in a thrilling matchup, Houston Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve was ejected during an intense extra-innings game against the San Diego Padres after a controversial call involving a foul ball.

The drama unfolded in the top of the ninth inning of the Astros’ 4-3 victory at Petco Park in San Diego. The moment caught many by surprise as Altuve attempted to demonstrate to the home plate umpire that he had hit a foul ball into his foot.

“I got a foul ball because it hit my foot and they just took it away from me,” Altuve explained to reporters after the game. “I don’t think it can happen. There were four umpires on the field.”

He added, “You’ve got to see the change of direction on the ball and just make the right call.”

The game was tied at 3-3 when Altuve stepped up to face pitcher Robert Suarez. The right-hander opened with a sinker clocked at 99.5 mph, which was called a ball. Altuve swung and missed on the next pitch, a hefty 100.3 mph sinker that sailed high and inside.

As Altuve swung on the following pitch, he appeared to make contact with the ball in such a way that it struck his left foot, indicating a foul ball. However, home plate umpire Brennan Miller ruled otherwise, declaring the ball fair. Manny Machado, the Padres’ third baseman, swiftly fielded the ball and threw it to first baseman Donovan Solano, retiring Altuve and ending the half-inning.

In a frustrated response, Altuve took off his left sock and cleat, approaching Miller while the ump was conversing with Astros manager Joe Espada. Almost immediately, Miller ejected Altuve from the game.

“It’s a foul ball,” Espada commented. “You have to see the ball once it hits the foot, the flight of the ball, what the ball does. I don’t understand. That’s twice this year. I have a lot of respect for the umpires. They work hard. There are four out there.”

Espada continued, “For me, you have to be able to see it. They missed that play.”

Taking Altuve’s spot in the lineup was Grae Kessinger, who played a pivotal role in securing the win for the Astros. In the top of the 10th inning, Kessinger scored the winning run via a hit by right fielder Kyle Tucker.

Additionally, Kessinger contributed defensively in a spectacular manner. With the bases loaded, Machado was at the plate when he hit the final pitch of the game—a 1-2 fastball—through the middle of the field. Kessinger dashed to his right, executed a sliding catch in the infield dirt, and then flipped the ball to shortstop Jeremy Pena, who tagged second base for the final out, sealing the victory for Houston.

Throughout the game, Jose Altuve managed to go 1 for 5 with two strikeouts. Both Tucker and third baseman Alex Bregman each secured two hits apiece. Astros starter Hunter Brown had a solid outing, allowing five hits and two runs over six innings, though he did not receive a decision.

On the opposing side, Padres pitcher Michael King matched Brown’s performance, also surrendering five hits and two runs over seven innings without a decision. Machado stood out for San Diego, hitting 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in the defeat. Meanwhile, Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. also contributed, going 2 for 5 and scoring twice.

The series continues with the final game between the Padres and Astros scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in San Diego.