"Umps are paid to help out the big market teams": Fans disappointed as Pirates' Derek Shelton gets ejected after heated argument over strike call

Fans reacted as the Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton was tossed out off the game after engaging in a heated argument with home plate umpire John Tumpane on a controversial strike call. It happened in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Pirates were trailing 5-2 on Saturday.

With two outs and bases loaded, Jack Suwinski took a 3-1 pitch from Reed Garrett, which Tumpane called a strike. However, on the monitor, it suggested a ball, which could have driven in a run.

That riled up manager Shelton, and he threw a barrage Tumpane's way from the dugout. As a result, Tumpane tossed him out of the game. Finally, Garrett struck him out swinging on a 3-2 pitch.

Fans had all kind of reactions to it. Some noted a bias in officiating towards big market teams, while others threw shade on how the situation was handled.

"I’m convinced umps are paid to help out the big market teams," one fan added.

"That's how they cheat the good teams. It clearly was a ball," one fan commented.

"Horrible calls .. jus cost the pirates in the biggest at bat in game ..," another wrote.

The reactions continued, with fans mocking the officials.

"Ump legit saved the Mets there. Bases loaded walk next dude up was Nick Gonzales who has been a top 3 hitter for the pirates. What a joke," one fan posted.

"That umpire should get a suspension from those calls. Not even close!" another added.

"Ump looks like he knows he blew the hole at bat for the kid with basses loaded," one wrote.

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Derek Shelton reserves his comments concerning the call in post-game interview as Pirates lose 5-2

MLB: New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates' Derek Shelton (IMAGN)

After the game, Derek Shelton was still frustrated by the call, so he reserved his remarks.

“From my vantage point? I think you pretty much saw what I thought and I should probably stay away from any further comments.” Shelton said at the press conference.

Amid all that, Suvinski maintained a calm composure, which Derek Shelton appreciated.

“Jack never reacts,” Shelton added. “For him to react like that, and then for the clock to start again that quick I don’t think I was extremely happy about that. As you can tell from the tone of my voice and the raspiness of my voice right now.”

Garrett escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, as the Pirates weren't able to add any runs after scoring two in the fourth. The Mets won 5-2 to improve to 43-44, while the Pirates slid to 42-46.