Guardians’ Gabriel Arias Ejected After Arguing With Home Plate Umpire

Gabriel Arias was ejected in the eighth inning of Monday night's game between the Cleveland Guardians and Baltimore Orioles.

Jun 24, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias (13) rounds third base to score in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Tempers flared towards the end of the Cleveland Guardians series opener with the Baltimore Orioles which resulted in one of Cleveland’s players getting ejected late in the game after arguing with home plate umpire Jermey Reiggs. 

Gabriel Arias was up to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning and wasn’t a fan of Riggs’ strike zone. Orioles pitched Keegan Akin threw a low fastball earlier in the count that just clipped the zone which Riggs called a strike, which is something the ump hadn’t been consistent with all game.

After Arias swung through a high fastball and struck out, he immediately turned around and made a comment to Riggs and the home plate umpire quickly tossed him from the game without any warning.

One of the quicker ejections you'll ever see pic.twitter.com/93pccsZ7tK

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 25, 2024

Perhaps what Arias said warranted an ejection given that he was presumably arguing balls and strikes. However, Riggs appeared to have an incredibly short leash with Arias and the Guardians shortstop was even shocked he had been ejected.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who still hasn’t been tossed in his managerial career, ran out to separate Arias from Riggs. Vogt was very animated as he pleaded his case and protected his player. Despite a vibrant conversation between the two, Vogt was not ejected.

Jun 24, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Home plate umpire Jeremy Riggs speaks with Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) after ejecting shortstop Gabriel Arias (not pictured) ) during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the questionable call, the Guardians still managed to walk away winners with a final score of 3-2. Arias played a key role in the victory as he doubled and came around to score in the top of the second inning.