While Levi Stoudt might be the future on the mound in Cincinnati, the Reds had bigger fish to fry for the time being on Wednesday. Manager David Bell, in particular, was concerned for his players’ safety, with the game already well out of reach in the ninth inning.
As Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks let off a dangerous pitch near the head of Stuart Fairchild, Bell took a fiery exception to the throw’s location. The umpire at home plate would eject him, and Bell proceeded to absolutely fume in an expletive-laden rant about Fairbanks’ lack of control on his pitches.
(Warning: NSFW rant in the tweet below.)
Reds manager David Bell is not thrilled and gets ejected after arguing with the umps. pic.twitter.com/sddMEANAym
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) April 19, 2023
PHEW. Either Bell is stumping for his team after an embarrassing loss, he feels passionate about dangerous pitching, or both — it doesn’t matter. What a … correct rant. There’s never a place for pitches near the head, but how are they still flying around in the ninth inning of a surefire 8-0 win for the opposing team?