La Russa And Anderson Ejected As Frustration Boils Over

Emotions were high on Friday night. The White Sox were entering one of their most anticipated series of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers in what could serve as a World Series preview. In the first game between the two Central Divison leaders, the Brewers got the best of the White Sox 7-1. A lackluster evening at the plate mixed with an inconsistent strike zone made things boil over for Tim Anderson and Tony La Russa. Home plate umpire John Libka was the focus for some verbal outbursts from the South Siders. Tony La Russa was the first to cross the line for Libka. Aaron Bummer and Ryan Burr combined to walk the bases loaded. La Russa came out to have a chat with Libka after Burr issued his second walk that allowed a run to score. La Russa's quarrel was aimed at the batting stance of Luis Urías. The manager thought the width of his stance made some of Burr's pitches appear higher than they actually were. When Rowdy Tellez followed with another walk, La Russa came out to visit the umpires again and voiced his displeasure. This time John Libka had heard enough. In the middle of the conversation, he was tossed from the game. It was La Russa's first ejection since returning to manage. Some key calls did not go the White Sox wat and the frustration of watching the game slip away because of a bullpen collapse was too much for La Russa. "I can't speak for the team, but I've been thrown out a bunch of times in my career," La Russa said after the game. "It's all because of emotion. Sometimes you flare up because you care." Burr then proceeded to give up a grand slam. The game was blown wide open. A half inning later it was Tim Anderson's turn. When the White Sox came to bat in the eighth, Anderson erupted at a called strike call on Yoan Moncada. The pitch was near the bottom of the zone and was a. Anderson was furious. He screamed at Libka from the top of the dugout and had to be restrained by teammates. Anderson continued barking at him while White Sox coach Shelley Duncan escorted him to the clubhouse. He was so upset that Jason Benetti thought that Libka may have said something personal to set off Anderson.

"Frustrations got high the way the game was being called against us," White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito said. "I got frustrated a couple times, I just tried not to show it out there. Sometimes it just kind of hits that breaking point for Tony and Timmy. It's just how it goes sometimes." Despite the frustration with the umpires, Tony La Russa insisted that they were not the reason for the blowout loss. "The umpires didn't decide that game." He continued "We had trouble creating RBI chances, I give the pitching credit on the other side. They have some impressive numbers and today we saw why."