Orioles’ Albernaz notches first ejection as manager

It’s been a season of firsts for Orioles manager Craig Albernaz. The first-year manager earned his first-ever MLB ejection after arguing with home plate umpire James Jean during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The ejection came in the third inning as Orioles second baseman Blaze Alexander took the plate against Pittsburgh pitcher Braxton Ashcraft.

Alexander appeared to ask for a timeout, which Jean did not honor, before Ashcraft fired a pitch into the zone for strike one.

MLB rules prevent pitchers from taking advantage of unprepared batters, requiring players in the box to take a stance and make eye contact before throwers start their delivery. Albernaz appeared to believe that Alexander was unprepared after calling for time.

An infuriated Albernaz left the dugout and berated Jean, leading to a quick ejection.

The Orioles were already trailing the Pirates by six runs and had lost the first two games during their three-game trip to Pittsburgh. Baltimore entered Sunday’s game with a 3-5 record on the season.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.