Marlins' Erik Cordier ejected in 8th for striking Rodriguez with pitch
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins reliever Erik Cordier was ejected from Monday's 5-2 loss in the eighth inning for hitting the Pittsburgh Pirates' Sean Rodriguez with a pitch.
Cordier struck Rodriguez on the left wrist with a 98 mph fastball on the second pitch of the at-bat to begin the frame. No warning had been previously issued by home-plate umpire Jeff Kellogg, but he gave one out following the incident.
Manager Dan Jennings quickly raced onto the field to argue the decision, as did members of the infield. Rodriguez remained in the game, while righty Scott McGough took over on the mound.
Cordier, 29, said he stood there in shock after being forced to exit his 10th big-league appearance. In parts of 10 minor-league seasons, he has hit 44 batters in 669 innings.
"I was just trying to get back into the count," said Cordier, who spent 2013 in the Pirates farm system. "Just missed with the slider. Ball got away from me a little bit. Look at my minor-league stats. It happens from time to time. There was no malicious intent at all. I'm friends with a good portion of the guys from a couple years ago, so I'm not really sure why he pulled the trigger like that."
In the previous inning, righty Brian Ellington hit Starling Marte in the back with a first-pitch 97 mph fastball. Marte stared him down and took his time heading to first base. Ellington just missed Andrew McCutchen with the next pitch -- a 97 mph fastball. Catcher JT Realmuto went to the mound to settle Ellington down.
Pittsburgh leads the majors with 74 hit by pitches. It marked the third ejection for the Marlins this season.
"I thought it was too quick," Jennings said. "Obviously there was no intent there. Young pitcher coming in just missed his spot up and in. Again, umpire and I had a discussion, but I certainly felt like it was no intent on our part and thought it was a little quick. The ball went up and in and got away and the umpire did what he felt like he had to do to control the game. Certainly no intent in that. ... Both sides were pitching inside. Unfortunately, we hit two of their guys with the two hit batsmen, nine base-on-balls. I think they had 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position. It sure as hell wasn't like we were trying to add more to that. I didn't understand it."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
