Major League Baseball

Tigers' Leyland, Pena tossed from Royals game

Published Aug. 18, 2013 5:21 a.m. ET

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Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland and catcher Brayan Pena were ejected from Saturday night's 6-5 win against the Kansas City Royals, and first base umpire Bob Davidson took the blame for missing the call.

The Tigers were angry in the fourth inning because Kansas City's Alcides Escobar appeared to foul off a pitch with a check swing after the ball hit the dirt. The umpires ruled it a wild pitch that allowed Chris Getz to advance from first base to third.

''That's really on me because I should've seen the ball change directions,'' Davidson said after the game.

Leyland was ejected for arguing and then went on the field a second time, directing a demonstrative rant toward Davidson.

''They didn't get it right,'' said Leyland, who added that it was a tough call to make because the ball hit the dirt before the bat. ''I reacted because something had to happen.''

After Escobar hit a game-tying double, Pena had more to say about the call and was tossed by plate umpire Mike Muchlinski.

Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday that Major League Baseball plans to expand its video review process next season, giving managers a tool they've never had in an effort to dramatically reduce the number of incorrect calls made in games.

It is not clear, though, if the disputed call in Detroit would be a reviewable play next season.

''Maybe now,'' Davidson said, chuckling.

John Hirschbeck, the crew chief for Saturday's game, said umpires are not sure what will be reviewable next year.

''They haven't told us any of the details,'' he said.

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