SAN DIEGO (AP) -Padres left-hander David Wells was ejected in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game against Atlanta for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Ed Hickox after allowing a two-run homer by Jeff Francoeur.
After he was tossed, the big left-hander had to be restrained by manager Bud Black, two coaches and catcher Josh Bard. Wells fired a ball against the screen as he walked off the field.
Wells apparently was unhappy about not getting calls on outside pitches to Andruw Jones, who walked ahead of Francoeur, and then Francoeur, who drove a 1-2 pitch off a balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. brick warehouse in the left-field corner of Petco Park.
After one of his pitches was called a ball, Wells waved his glove in disgust.
Wells approached Hickox while Francoeur was still rounding the bases. The umpire appeared to order Wells back to the mound with the indication that he’d be tossed if he didn’t.
Hickox turned and headed back to the plate when Wells followed him and gestured for him to turn around.
Hickox did turn around, and ejected Wells.
Francoeur’s homer gave the Braves a 3-1 lead, but San Diego went ahead 4-3 in the bottom of the inning on Mike Cameron’s three-run shot off lefty Jo-Jo Reyes, who was making his big league debut.
The 44-year-old Wells allowed three runs and four hits in three innings, with one strikeout and one walk. He came into the game with a 4-5 record and a 4.16 ERA.
Doug Brocail, activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, came on after Wells was ejected.
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