Devin Mesoraco bumps ump

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CINCINNATI -- Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was ejected for arguing a pitch call by plate umpire Chad Fairchild, then poked at his chest protector and bumped him before leaving the field.

Mesoraco objected when Fairchild called a close pitch a ball with San Diego's Chase Headley at bat in the third inning and the Padres leading 9-3. The rookie catcher stood up, removed his mask and argued, drawing an ejection.

Holding the ball in his right hand, Mesoraco pointed at the umpire's chest with his index finger. Fairchild pointed to his own chest, indicating he'd just been poked by the catcher. Manager Dusty Baker came out and tried to pull the catcher away, but Mesoraco went toward the umpire again and bumped into him.

"I think, first and foremost, the game wasn't going the way we hoped and there was some frustration there," Mesoraco said after the Reds lost 11-5. "I disagreed with his calls throughout the game. You saw what happened next.

"Frustration got the best of me and I lost my cool. You want to stand up for your pitcher. I'm not perfect by any means."

Mesoraco faces a suspension for the outburst.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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