One ugly inning turned into a full-blown Giants meltdown Friday, as manager Tony Vitello and ace Logan Webb were both ejected during San Francisco’s loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The drama centered on two disputed calls in the third inning, with the Giants believing both decisions helped swing the game.
Vitello picked up his fifth ejection as San Francisco’s first-year manager, while Webb received the first ejection of his career. For a rookie pitcher like Blade Tidwell, however, there was at least one positive takeaway: his manager and one of the team’s veterans clearly had his back.
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Two Controversial Calls Put the Giants on Edge
The trouble began in the third inning with one out and Lars Nootbaar at the plate. Tidwell was ahead 1-2 and appeared to get the strikeout on the next pitch, but home-plate umpire Alan Porter called it a ball.
The Giants failed to challenge the decision, and Nootbaar made them pay. He doubled, setting up Corbin Carroll, who followed with a two-run home run.
Suddenly, Arizona had flipped the momentum and taken a 3-2 lead.
Then came an even more frustrating moment.
With two outs, Geraldo Perdomo reached first before Nolan Arenado hit a ball down the third-base line. The ball bounced into foul territory, but third-base umpire Alex MacKay ruled it fair.
The Giants strongly disagreed, but there was little they could do because the call was a judgment decision and could not be reviewed.
Vitello and Webb Get Their Walking Papers
The Giants waited until the inning ended before making their feelings known.
After Tim Tawa launched a three-run homer and Tidwell struck out James McCann, Vitello began gesturing from the dugout, extending his arms to indicate just how clearly he believed Arenado’s ball had gone foul.
That was enough for Porter.
Vitello was ejected following a heated exchange with the umpire, giving him his fifth ejection of the season. At this rate, his dugout seat may need a frequent-flyer program.
Webb soon joined him.
The Giants ace was visibly frustrated while standing near the rail and shouting toward MacKay. Interestingly, it was second-base umpire Roberto Ortiz—not MacKay—who ultimately ejected Webb.
Webb later explained that his frustration came from watching the inning spiral out of control.
“I thought that inning just didn’t need to happen,” Webb said, according to MLB.com.
He added that he was simply defending his teammates and letting his emotions out.
Tidwell Appreciated the Support
For Blade Tidwell, the third inning was a nightmare on the mound but a memorable moment in the clubhouse.
The Giants had promoted the rookie pitcher from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in August. Against Arizona, Tidwell threw 100 pitches over five innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, including three home runs.
It was also his first loss as a starter this season.
Despite the rough outing, Tidwell noticed something he valued even more: his teammates and manager were willing to stand up for him.
“I thought it was awesome that my manager and one of my vets had my back,” Tidwell told MLB.com.
He described the moment as “winning camaraderie” and said the team could find success if everyone continued getting on the same page.
That kind of support can matter, especially for a young pitcher trying to establish himself in the majors.
Giants Tried to Rally, But Arizona Had the Answer
San Francisco did not simply fold after the chaotic third inning.
Christian Koss hit a two-run homer in the fourth, cutting Arizona’s advantage to 6-5 and briefly giving the Giants hope.
But the D-backs answered almost immediately.
Ildemaro Vargas delivered an RBI single and eventually scored, pushing Arizona back in front 9-5. McCann then drove in Perdomo in the following inning, adding another important run to Arizona’s advantage.
What started as a frustrating inning for San Francisco ultimately became a major turning point in the game.
Vitello’s Ejection Count Keeps Growing
Vitello is still learning the rhythms of his first season managing in the majors, but his willingness to fight for his players is becoming increasingly obvious.
Friday marked his fifth ejection, while Webb’s removal was a first in his MLB career. The Giants would certainly prefer fewer trips to the clubhouse for their manager and star pitcher, but Tidwell’s reaction shows why players can appreciate that fire.
For San Francisco, though, the bigger concern is turning that emotion into results. Controversial calls will always be part of baseball. The challenge is making sure frustration doesn’t become more costly than the calls themselves.
The Giants left Friday’s matchup with a loss, two ejections and plenty to debate. Yet the incident also revealed a positive element inside San Francisco’s clubhouse: Tony Vitello and Logan Webb were willing to stand behind Blade Tidwell when things went sideways.
Now, the Giants need that same unity to translate into better results on the field. With the season moving forward, Vitello will hope his team becomes known for winning games—not collecting ejections.
FAQ:
Why were Tony Vitello and Logan Webb ejected?
Tony Vitello was ejected after arguing with home-plate umpire Alan Porter over a controversial foul-ball call involving Nolan Arenado. Logan Webb was also ejected after expressing his frustration toward the umpiring crew.
How many times has Tony Vitello been ejected?
The ejection against Arizona was Tony Vitello’s fifth ejection as the San Francisco Giants’ first-year manager.
Was this Logan Webb’s first MLB ejection?
Yes. The game marked Logan Webb’s first career MLB ejection.
What was controversial about Nolan Arenado’s hit?
Arenado hit a ball down the third-base line that bounced into foul territory. Third-base umpire Alex MacKay ruled it fair, a judgment call that could not be reviewed.
What happened to Blade Tidwell?
Tidwell started for the Giants and threw 100 pitches over five innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, including three home runs.
Did the Giants come back after the controversial third inning?
San Francisco briefly cut Arizona’s lead to 6-5 after Christian Koss hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. However, the Diamondbacks responded and pulled away again.
What did Blade Tidwell say about Vitello and Webb?
Tidwell praised both for supporting him during the heated inning, saying he appreciated having his manager and a veteran teammate “have my back.”
What was the final impact of the ejections?
The ejections added to a chaotic third inning for San Francisco, but the Giants ultimately lost after Arizona regained control and extended its lead in the later innings.
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