A manager was ejected after protesting the ABS (automated ball-strike system) for the first time in Major League Baseball.
The Minnesota Twins lost 6-8 to the Baltimore Orioles on the 30th (Korean time) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.
In the top of the ninth inning, with Minnesota trailing 6-8, leadoff hitter Luke Keaschual reached on a hit. Matt Wallner was retired on a lineout to left field, and Josh Bell came to the plate. Bell worked the count to three balls, gaining the advantage. Pitcher Ryan Helsley's fourth pitch, a 97.8 mph (157.4 km) four-seam fastball, came in low and the umpire called it a ball, so Bell prepared to take a walk. But catcher Adley Rutschman requested an ABS challenge and the call was overturned to a strike.
Returning to the plate, Bell fouled off the fifth pitch, a 98 mph (157.7 km) four-seam, and watched the sixth pitch, an 87.9 mph (141.5 km) outside slider. The umpire called it a ball and Bell again prepared to walk to first. But this time pitcher Helsley requested the ABS challenge and the call was overturned to a strike. It was a borderline strike that just barely grazed the strike zone.
Bell, who had been about to take a walk, ended up striking out as the call was overturned twice by ABS. Minnesota manager Derek Shelton ran onto the field to protest the ABS rulings, argued with the umpires and was ejected. Minnesota failed to score in the top of the ninth and lost the game.
During the broadcast of the game, commentators, showing Shelton protesting, said, "He's arguing with a robot! You can't beat a robot," emphasizing that ABS rulings cannot be changed by a manager's protest. However, Shelton was not protesting the ABS ruling itself. He was appealing that Helsley's ABS request was made too late.
Major League Baseball's official outlet MLB.com highlighted the ABS challenge that day, saying, "Just days into the 2026 season, MLB's new ABS challenge system has already appeared in some pivotal moments. And the Orioles used the ABS effectively at the most important moment."
Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said, "Our players used the ABS challenge really well. So did Helsley. It was a slightly odd scene. Maybe Helsley didn't immediately know the ball call had been made."
Shelton explained his reason for protesting, saying, "I don't think Helsley immediately tapped his hat. He might have, but I didn't feel that way. The ABS challenge has to be requested within three seconds, and I felt that didn't happen. So I protested, but the umpires didn't see it that way."
Helsley reflected on the situation, saying, "Honestly, I understand why Shelton did that. I was also a little flustered because I thought the umpire might not have seen my signal right away. So I think I sent the signal one more time. Fortunately, umpire Laz Diaz behind me at second base said I did request the ABS right away. Because the system is so new, I thought there would be growing pains like this." He added, "I can understand why Shelton tried to stop the ABS challenge. In that moment it did look a little late."
Bell, who could have drawn a walk but ended up striking out, calmly accepted the result, saying, "(Helsley) threw a good pitch. I give him credit. It was really good. I admit that."
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