NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system has presented its own set of challenges during the 2026 season, but players and managers alike have learned that in baseball, that’s the truth — as long as the umpire can see a challenge has been made.
Two-time All-Star Brandon Lowe learned the hard way during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 10-9 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. He flied out in the fourth inning and was ejected.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Brandon Lowe rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon during the third inning in Pittsburgh, May 27, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Lowe tried to challenge a strike call in the bottom of the fourth inning. Home plate umpire Alex Tosi wasn’t looking at Lowe when he tapped his helmet to signal a challenge. Tosi declined the challenge and appeared to explain to Pirates manager Don Kelly why it was not given.
When Lowe rounded first on the fly, he was thrown out by first base umpire Jordan Baker. It was Lowe’s first career sending off.
“Kind of a sad first ejection, I think if we look at ejections as a whole,” he said, via MLB.com. “But yeah, I was just frustrated with myself and took my frustration out on myself and got thrown out for it. I didn’t even realize I got thrown out until I was about three-quarters of the way back to the dugout and then (hitting coach Jonny Tucker) kind of pointed at first base.”
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe is congratulated by first baseman Spencer Horwitz after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo., on May 21, 2026. (Jeff Curry/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Kelly told reporters that it was explained to him that the challenge was rejected because it was determined to be undermined.
“It was just total, like Jordan didn’t understand what (Lowe) was saying and totally overreacted, I thought,” Kelly said. “Lowe was upset that he thought he had swung at ball four and Jordan thought he was yelling at the home plate umpire and it was a total misunderstanding.”
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Brandon Lowe celebrates with Konnor Griffin after both scored on a double by Bryan Reynolds off Chicago Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks during the first inning in Pittsburgh, May 26, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Lowe leads the Pirates in home runs with 14. He was 1-for-3 with a run scored before being ejected from the game.
