MLB Ejection 101 - Brennan Miller (1; Craig Counsell)

[Lindsay]

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (step balk call on Matthew Boyd; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Cubs-#Mariners game. With none out and one on, during Brendan Donovan's at-bat, HP Umpire Miller called Boyd for a balk during an attempted pickoff throw. Replays indicate the pitcher stepped failed to step directly to first base before throwing to that base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 4-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3): "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

This is the 101st ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 57th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 57 Managers, 20 Coaches, 23 Players.

This is Chicago's 4th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 8; CHC 4; STL 3; CIN 2; MIL 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since June 23 (Jordan Baker; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Brennan Miller's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 19 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Catch/Trap]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Seattle Mariners, 8/21/26 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Counsell ejected arguing balk on Boyd's pickoff move to 1B

View the full article

[jimurrayalterego]

17 hours ago, Lindsay said:

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (step balk call on Matthew Boyd; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Cubs-#Mariners game. With none out and one on, during Brendan Donovan's at-bat, HP Umpire Miller called Boyd for a balk during an attempted pickoff throw. Replays indicate the pitcher stepped failed to step directly to first base before throwing to that base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 4-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

 

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3): "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

 

This is the 101st ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 57th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 57 Managers, 20 Coaches, 23 Players.

This is Chicago's 4th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 8; CHC 4; STL 3; CIN 2; MIL 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since June 23 (Jordan Baker; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Brennan Miller's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 19 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Catch/Trap]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Seattle Mariners, 8/21/26 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Counsell ejected arguing balk on Boyd's pickoff move to 1B

View the full article

Why we advise to mirror your partner's (competent type) balk call.