WATCH: Brutally Blown Umpire Strike Call Ignites Chaos in Red Sox vs. Mets Game

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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

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The Boston Red Sox have endured struggles from almost every member of their starting rotation in the month of May. Outside of lefty ace Garret Crochet, whose ERA remains at a flat 2.00 heading into his start Wednesday against the Mets, only rookie Hunter Dobbins — who has been used mainly as a spot starter — boasts an ERA below 4.00.

That's why the Red Sox were eagerly anticipating the return of Walker Buehler, their $21.05 million offseason free agent signing, to the mound Tuesday after 18 days on the injured list with shoulder bursitis.

Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler argues.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 20: Pitcher Walker Buehler #0 of the Boston Red Sox shouts at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook after a pitch he thought was a strike was called a ball, as Carlos... Winslow Townson/Getty Images

With an overtaxed bullpen, Boston was hoping that the 30-year-old who recorded the final out of last year's World Series to seal the win for the Los Angeles Dodgers would pitch deep into the second game of a three-game set against the New York Mets at Fenway Park.

Instead, the Red Sox saw Buehler ejected with one out in the third inning as he protested a blatantly blown call by home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.

Buehler's second pitch to lefty hitter Juan Soto was unambiguously over the plate and well within the strike zone, as MLB's pitch tracking system showed.

On a view taken from a camera mounted on Estabrook's helmet, Buehler can be seen standing on the mound, and heard saying to the umpire, "It was right down the middle."

Estabrook then came out from behind the plate, removed his mask and shouted back at Buehler, a move that Red Sox broadcaster and former infielder Lou Merloni described as provocative.

More MLB: Mets Manager Provides Brief Answer Regarding Juan Soto Controversy

"When the mask comes off, you're very confrontational," said Merloni, commenting on the game for the Red Sox cable network NESN. "Walker Buehler has been in the league a while. You know you missed a pitch. He has something to say to you from the rubber. That's fine. But when the mask comes off, and you're aggressively coming at him, it's very combative. You're escalating it."

Buehler later said that while he believed he was right about the blown call, he regretted losing is cool.

"I've been in this league too long for that to happen," he stated in a postgame press briefing. "You feel convicted in what I felt and saw, but at the same time this is a team game and something I kind of let get out of hand."

After Buehler was ejected, chaos ensued as manager Alex Cora bolted from the first base dugout to confront Estabrook and was also tossed from the game.

The normally even-keeled Cora became so enraged that he smashed the dugout phone used to call the bullpen and summon relief pitchers.

When the disorder subsided, the Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 2-0, as Buehler and six relievers combined on the shutout.

Boston closer Aroldis Chapman retired the Mets in order in the ninth to record his eighth save in eight chances, and second in as many nights.

More MLB: Red Sox Manager Challenges Starting Pitchers to 'Step Up' After Early Struggles

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About the writer

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His ... Read more