Mariners Manager Lloyd McClendon throws his hat after being ejected by first base umpire

In a tirade reminiscent of Lou Piniella’s classic outbursts, Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon made each umpire aware of his opinion after a sketchy check-swing call during Tuesday night’s game against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. The umps stoked the fire earlier in the top of the third inning when they ruled Brett Gardner held up on a pitch when he looked to have swung the bat around.The action really started the batter before, when Brett Gardner was ruled to have checked his swing when it sure looked to everybody else like he’d gone around. When—in McClendon’s opinion—the same thing happened again, he just couldn’t contain himself. Also of note is that tonight is Mariners pitcher Mike Montgomery’s MLB debut; McClendon likely felt the need to take a bullet for his young pitcher. The home crowd stood up and cheered as he walked off the field. The Mariners entered play on Tuesday a disappointing 24-27. Perhaps the pressure is getting to McClendon. Or perhaps this is the moment that sparks the Mariners up the standings.