Overview
- Texas manager Skip Schumaker left the dugout to argue a full-count Bryan Abreu slider called strike three on Nicky Lopez during the seventh inning of the Rangers–Astros game on Sunday, Aug. 2.
- The Rangers had no replay challenges left because they had used both earlier in the game, so the called third strike could not be overturned by review.
- As Schumaker and home plate umpire Todd Tichenor argued, the stadium began playing “God Bless America,” and both men removed their caps and stood respectfully until the song ended.
- The argument resumed immediately after the song and Tichenor ejected Schumaker, the first ejection of his tenure as Rangers manager, and Houston went on to win 7-3 to complete a three-game sweep.
- Video clips of the pause-and-resume exchange went viral on social media and Schumaker gave measured postgame remarks that acknowledged his disagreement while praising Tichenor’s long career.