His team is playing for the top seed in the American League in the final 10 days of the season, but that didn't seem to matter to Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson as he argued balls and strikes after hitting a home run Thursday.
That display got him ejected while he had at least one at-bat remaining in the Twins' game against the White Sox.
Donaldson lined a go-ahead dinger in the sixth inning off Chicago's Reynaldo Lopez. As he was crossing the plate, he decided to kick dirt on the dish, apparently to complain about the previous strike call by plate umpire Dan Bellino. Bellino, who appeared to be anticipating an argument, gave Donaldson the thumb.
Donaldson, not satisfied with his footwork, came back for another kick at the ground and then had words for Bellino.
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Ehire Adrianza replaced Donaldson in the Twins' lineup. He struck out in his only plate appearance and the Twins lost 4-3.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, in explaining why Donaldson reacted how he did, referred to other pitches in the game and series that frustrated his slugger.
"Josh's emotions got the best of him, and his frustration did get the best of him," Baldelli told reporters, per MLB.com. "Does he have gripes on some of those pitches? Yeah. But that is part of baseball and something we all have to adjust to, both players and staff and everybody involved, and the umpires do, too."
Minnesota is now three games behind the first-place and league-leading White Sox in the AL Central. Chicago clinched a playoff berth with the win. The Twins are seeded fourth, with the highest winning percentage among the AL's three second-pace teams.
Donaldson's teammate Miguel Sano was ejected after homering in the minor leagues seven years ago, but he had a much different reason. He thought he was thrown at by the opposing pitcher and made it known to his opponent.
