MLB Ejection 035 - Dan Merzel (2; Craig Counsell)

[Lindsay]

1B Umpire Dan Merzel ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (ABS challenge denial/check swing/strike 3 call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Cubs-#Pirates game. With none out and two on, Cubs batter Kevin Alcántara attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 slider from Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana, called a third strike by HP Umpire Shane Livensparger. As the batter immediately requested an ABS challenge by tapping his helmet, 1B Umpire Merzel ruled that the batter had swung at the pitch, resulting in denial of the challenge as the swinging strike call superseded the pitch location call. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.39, pz 2.12 [sz_bot 1.75]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 12-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 12-1.

This is Dan Merzel (3)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

*The call is deemed QOCY/correct due to the pitch location measurement confirming the strike call.

This is the 35th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 22nd manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 22 Managers, 5 Coaches, 8 Players.

This is Chicago's 1st ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 4; CHC, CIN 1; MIL, STL 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 1st ejection since August 28, 2025 (David Rackley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Dan Merzel's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since April 7 (John Schneider; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/26/26 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Called strikeout can't be challenged since U1 had a swing; Counsell ejected arguing denial

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