John Gibbons, Marcus Stroman, and Russell Martin all ejected by home plate umpire Will Little today in Toronto. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/sXthfcIwJ3
— Today in the MLB (@TodayintheMLB) July 27, 2017
July 28 (UPI) -- Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, manager John Gibbons and catcher Russell Martin were all ejected Thursday at the Rogers Centre.
Stroman was tossing in the fifth inning of the Blue Jays' 8-4 win when things finally reached a boiling point with umpire Will Little. Martin and Stroman had argued balls and strikes with the home plate official throughout the game. After a walk to Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, Stroman and Martin had some words for the umpire and were thrown out simultaneously.
Stroman charged home plate and tried to get in Little's face, but Martin held him back. Eventually more teammates and coaches stepped in to block Stroman, as he became more animated.
Chris Smith came in to replace Stroman on the hill while Miguel Montero replaced the Martin at catcher. Stroman allowed three runs, six hits and walked six, while striking out four in the win.
"I want to make my next start," Stroman told MLB.com.
"I'm going to continue to be myself ... regardless of who doesn't like it, who likes it. I'm always going to be myself regardless, here on out. I'm emotional, that's how I pitch. That's what I pride myself on. That's what allows me to be my best out there."
The Blue Jays (48-54) are in last place in the American League East. Stroman, 26, owns a 3.08 ERA and a 9-5 record this season in 21 starts.