Blue Jays Manager Sparks Controversy in Win Over Orioles

TORONTO, Ontario — Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider was involved in a heated exchange with home plate umpire Will Little during the team’s 8-2 victory against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

The incident unfolded in the second inning as Blue Jays second baseman Andrés Giménez faced Orioles pitcher Charlie Morton. With the count at 2-2, Giménez struck out after attempting to check his swing on a breaking ball that the umpire ruled he had swung at.

Following the call, Giménez signaled to the bench, suggesting he had been hit by the pitch and was deserving of first base. Schneider came out from the dugout to argue the point, and their exchange was captured live on Apple TV+ microphones.

“He’s saying the ball hit him,” Little told Schneider during the confrontation. “But we’ve got a swing, so we’ve got a dead ball.”

Schneider’s response was candid, as he expressed disbelief over the call. “How the f— are you gonna call that?” he exclaimed, reflecting the frustration felt by players and fans alike.

Despite this disagreement, Schneider was not ejected from the game. Giménez ultimately struck out, and the Blue Jays were unable to score in that inning.

The early game tension dissipated as the Blue Jays’ offense exploded later, tallying seven hits and four runs over 3⅓ innings against Morton. This win marked Toronto’s first of the season while the Orioles suffered their first loss.

In a strong showing for the Blue Jays, five players, including Bo Bichette and Anthony Santander, notched two hits each in the victory. Both teams now stand at 1-1 in the young season, with a rematch scheduled for Saturday at 3:07 p.m. ET. Max Scherzer is set to take the mound for the Blue Jays, with Dean Kremer starting for the Orioles.