Carl Edwards Jr. vs. Gabe Morales
Sept. 3 at Miller Park
Final score: Brewers 4, Cubs 3
After Rizzo’s two-run homer off Josh Hader had given the Cubs a one-run lead in the top of the eighth, Edwards gave up singles to the first two hitters in the bottom half before striking out the next two on breaking balls.
With runners on second and third, Edwards threw a 3-2 curve to Ryan Braun that landed near the top of the strike zone. Morales called ball four, loading the bases for Moustakas.
Edwards was visibly upset, as was Maddon. After Edwards went 2-0 on Moustakas on another close pitch, Maddon earned his ejection. The next two pitches were also balls, forcing in the tying run, and Edwards screamed at Morales as he walked into the clubhouse.
Maddon said afterward the pitch was “borderline. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong as a manager, but you’ve got to defend your player there,” he said.
Maddon texted MLB disciplinarian Joe Torre the next day to apologize. He told reporters he was wrong and went “too far” in his arguing. Meanwhile, Fancred.com writer Jon Heyman told WSCR-AM 670 that “the umpires are not big fans of Joe Maddon. … They’re not too thrilled with him, generally speaking.”
It didn’t take long for the umpires union to respond. Linking an article citing Heyman’s comments to its Twitter account, @MLBUA tweeted: “MLB Umpires are entrusted with maintaining the integrity of the game. To imply we would hold a grudge against a player or manager is sheer nonsense.”