ATLANTA -- The Pirates' beleaguered pitching staff took another hit in the first inning Monday night when Joe Musgrove was ejected from the game in the first inning after hitting Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson with a pitch at SunTrust Park.
Musgrove grazed Donaldson's jersey with a pitch and two then began shouting at each other. Both benches emptied, though no punches were thrown.
Benches clear as #Braves' Josh Donaldson is hit by a pitch by Pirates' Joe Musgrove. pic.twitter.com/7xKeHgC9Fn
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) June 10, 2019
Clint Hurdle was also ejected.
The tossing of Musgrove came just hours after the Pirates placed Jordan Lyles on the injured list with left hamstring tightness. That leaves the Pirates already looking to find starters for the final two games of the four-game series on Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
Musgrove pitched just 2/3 of an inning, facing four batters. He was replaced by Alex McRae.
It was the first ejection of Musgrove's four-year career, and Jameson Taillon was not a fan of the call:
Ump Show. @MLB, Clean it up. Joe prepares harder than anyone, and you just took away his start day. No accountability. The pen is messed up for the series now. Guys will get sent down because they will have to eat these innings. Unbelievable.
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon19) June 10, 2019
