Chris Sale Ejected Before First Pitch, Braves Beat Yankees 2-1 in 10 Innings
Chris Sale was ejected before the Atlanta Braves’ game against the Yankees even started on Sunday, August 9, 2026, after a dugout confrontation with umpire Dan Merzel. The Braves still won 2-1 in 10 innings, avoiding a sweep of the three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Sale was ejected before Sunday’s game against the Yankees on August 9, 2026, without throwing a single pitch.
- The Braves won the game 2-1 in 10 innings, avoiding a sweep of the three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
- The ejection stemmed from a balk call by umpire Dan Merzel during Saturday’s 5-4 Braves loss, which allowed Spencer Jones to score on an RBI triple.
- Grant Holmes pitched six scoreless innings in relief of Sale, and Michael Harris II drove in the winning run in the 10th.
- This was Sale’s fourth career ejection and his first since August 3, 2019, when he was tossed while pitching for Boston.
The pregame ejection of a scheduled starting pitcher is rare enough on its own, but it also points to lingering friction between Sale and the umpiring crew that worked the weekend series. That the Braves found a way to win anyway, without their ace throwing a single pitch, says as much about the bullpen and lineup depth Atlanta leaned on as it does about the controversy that set the day in motion.
What Happened Before First Pitch
Sale began yelling at Merzel as the umpiring crew walked past the Atlanta dugout ahead of Sunday’s game, and he was ejected before throwing a single warmup pitch in the actual contest. The outburst traced directly back to Saturday’s game, when Merzel called a balk on Sale that allowed rookie Spencer Jones to score on an RBI triple in a 5-4 Yankees win.
Crew chief Dan Bellino later told a pool reporter why the balk was called, noting that Sale did not announce his pitching mechanics from the stretch during that particular batter. This mechanical requirement, tucked deep in MLB’s official rules, proved costly for Atlanta by allowing a run to score on Saturday and subsequently benching Sale from Sunday’s rotation before he could pitch.
How Atlanta Won Without Its Starter
Losing a scheduled starter before first pitch would sink most teams, but the Braves turned to Grant Holmes, who pitched six scoreless innings to keep the Yankees off the board. Michael Harris II drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the 10th inning, sealing a 2-1 win that avoided a three-game sweep.
That combination, a spot start turned into six scoreless frames and a walk-off-style hit in extras, matters beyond one afternoon. It shows Atlanta’s rotation and lineup can absorb a shock even when the ace is unavailable for reasons that have nothing to do with injury or performance.
Who Chris Sale Is and Why This Ejection Stands Out
Sale entered the weekend with a 12-7 record and a 2.20 ERA across 21 starts, numbers that reflect one of the stronger seasons of his career. His ejection on Sunday was the third balk-related dispute and the fourth ejection overall, and it marked his first tossing since August 3, 2019, when he was ejected while pitching for Boston.
A seven-year gap between ejections suggests this wasn’t a pattern of habitual conflict with umpires, which makes Sunday’s blowup notable on its own terms. It also raises the obvious follow-up question of whether Major League Baseball will review the exchange for potential discipline, something the available reporting does not address.
Why the Series Carried Extra Weight
The three-game set against the Yankees had, in the words used to describe it, a playoff-like feel built on strong pitching from both sides across the three games. Sunday was the Braves’ third straight game against New York, and the tension between Sale and the umpiring crew had been building since Saturday’s balk call cost Atlanta a run in a one-run loss.
Below is how the two games at the center of this dispute compare on the numbers that matter most.
| Game | Result | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 8 | Braves lose 5-4 | Balk call on Sale allows Spencer Jones to score on RBI triple |
| Sunday, August 9 | Braves win 2-1 (10 innings) | Sale ejected pregame; Grant Holmes throws 6 scoreless innings; Michael Harris II drives in winning run |
What This Means Going Forward
The lasting story from this series centers on Sale’s ejection before throwing a pitch, which stemmed from a single mechanical balk ruling that Bellino said came down to Sale not declaring his pitching position. That kind of granular rules dispute rarely draws headlines, but it escalated into a pregame confrontation loud enough to get an established starter tossed before his warmups even began.
Whether Major League Baseball reviews Sale’s conduct or whether Sunday’s blowup changes how umpiring crews handle Atlanta in future series remains unclear from what’s been reported. What’s certain is that the Braves needed only one run in extra innings and six scoreless frames from an unplanned starter to turn a potential sweep into a series split, proof that a single controversial call can dominate a weekend without deciding its outcome.
FAQs
Why Was Chris Sale Ejected Before the Braves-Yankees Game?
Sale began yelling at umpire Dan Merzel as the umpiring crew walked past the Atlanta dugout before Sunday’s game started, stemming from a balk call Merzel made against Sale the previous day. He was ejected before throwing a single pitch in the actual contest.
What Was the Balk Call That Triggered the Dispute?
During Saturday’s contest on August 8, umpire Dan Merzel called a balk against Chris Sale that permitted rookie Spencer Jones to score on an RBI triple in New York’s 5-4 win. Crew chief Dan Bellino subsequently explained to reporters that Sale had not indicated his windup mechanics during that particular at-bat.
Did the Braves Win the Game Sale Was Ejected From?
Yes, the Braves beat the Yankees 2-1 in 10 innings on Sunday, August 9, 2026, despite losing their scheduled starting pitcher before first pitch. The win avoided a three-game sweep by New York.
Who Pitched for Atlanta After Chris Sale Was Ejected?
Grant Holmes took the mound in Sale’s place and pitched six scoreless innings, keeping the Yankees off the board and giving Atlanta’s bullpen and offense a chance to win late.
How Many Times Has Chris Sale Been Ejected in His Career?
Sunday’s ejection was the fourth of Sale’s career and the third tied to a balk call. It was his first ejection since August 3, 2019, when he was tossed while pitching for Boston.
What Was Chris Sale’s Record Before the Ejection?
Entering the weekend series, Sale had a 12-7 record with a 2.20 ERA across 21 starts on the season.
Who Drove in the Winning Run for the Braves?
Michael Harris II delivered an RBI single in the 10th inning that gave Atlanta the go-ahead and eventual winning run in the 2-1 victory.