Giants manager Vitello ejected after umpiring dispute in loss to Royals

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello was ejected for the third time this season during a loss to the Kansas City Royals on July 22, 2026. The incident occurred at Kauffman Stadium after second base umpire Mike Estabrook ruled Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino safe at second base, despite a tag by Giants shortstop Willy Adames.

The play unfolded in the top of the seventh inning, with the Giants holding a 3-0 lead. Pasquantino had hit a double down the right-field line and stumbled while trying to stand up after sliding into the base. Adames applied a tag, but Estabrook indicated the play was dead because Pasquantino had been pushed off the bag. The ruling was not reviewable under the rules at the time.

Vitello, who described the decision as a “big call,” continued to argue the ruling while walking back to the dugout. He asked if the call “couldn’t be corrected” and stated he had no curse words in the exchange. Third base umpire Lance Barrett ejected Vitello after telling him he had been asked to stop twice.

The Giants surrendered five runs in the seventh inning following the disputed call, losing 5-4. The defeat extended their losing streak to five games, leaving their record at 42-60. This places them with the second-fewest wins in Major League Baseball, sitting one game ahead of the last-place Colorado Rockies.

Giants pitcher Landon Roupp called the umpiring decision “stupid,” while broadcaster Dave Flemming described it as “absolutely ridiculous.” The ejection was confirmed by the official SF Giants on NBCS account, marking another frustration for Vitello in his first season managing the club.