The Yankees went from a chance at having an explosive inning to having an explosive ejection.
With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the first inning Wednesday night, Giancarlo Stanton hit a pop up to second base.
Juan Soto retreated slowly to second base, with the infield fly rule called, and was taking his final step to the bag when Angels shortstop Zach Neto tried to reach back to catch the pop up, colliding with Soto as the ball fell.
Second base umpire Vic Carapazza called obstruction on Soto, making it a double play, which quickly drew Aaron Boone out of the dugout.
Before Boone could argue, the umpires gathered to talk it over but eventually agreed with the call on the field.
That set Boone off, as he argued vehemently with Carapazza and before long he got tossed for the third time this season.
Bench coach Brad Ausmus eventually came out, seemingly to argue as well, to no avail.
Aaron Boone gets ejected after arguing a Juan Soto obstruction call during the first inning of the Yankees-Angels game
A similar play happened just five days ago at the end of the White Sox-Orioles game, with a double play being called because the fielder collided with the runner going back to second base on an infield fly.
The crew chief said that night that intent by the runner was not required to call interference if he hindered the fielder’s attempt to catch the ball.
Juan Soto was called out on the play
MLB reportedly later reached out to the White Sox (who were batting in the situation) and told them the obstruction call should not have been made, ESPN reported.
