Pirates manager Don Kelly ejected for sixth time after ABS challenge dispute

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly was ejected for a sixth time this season, the most by any MLB manager, after a heated argument with home‑plate umpire James Hoye. The dispute arose in the top of the fifth inning at American Family Field in Milwaukee when the umpire called a strike on a pitch that had just been challenged by Brewers catcher William Contreras under the ABS (automated ball‑strike) system. Kelly protested the call, and Hoye responded, "I told you I made a mistake," before ejecting the manager. Bench coach Kristopher Negrón assumed managerial duties for the remainder of the game. The incident sparked fan backlash on social media, with many labeling the ABS challenge system a "joke" and criticizing Kelly's repeated ejections, which also included a recent ejection against the Cincinnati Reds.

The ejection added to Kelly's season tally of six dismissals, highlighting ongoing tensions between managers and umpires over the new technology and its impact on game flow.