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Umpire defends decision to eject Orioles’ Kevin Gausman after hit-by-pitch

The Orioles and Red Sox continued their prime-time drama on Wednesday at Fenway Park, with two Baltimore players getting ejected by home plate umpire Sam Holbrook.

With both teams having been warned by commissioner Rob Manfred in a conference call before the game because of the recent tension, there were going to be no warnings – as Orioles starter Kevin Gausman found out in the second inning.

Gausman hit Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts with a 76-mph curveball (see video above) and was immediately ejected, though he argued vehemently that it was unintentional.