Royals’ Kendrys Morales appeals one-game suspension after ejection in Tuesday’s win

Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales said Thursday that he would appeal a one-game suspension that stemmed from an ejection in the Royals’ 3-2 victory on Tuesday night.

Morales was tossed from the game for arguing with home-plate umpire Carlos Torres in the ninth inning. He subsequently returned to the dugout and continued to grouse, which prompted the suspension. The ejection went unnoticed until Wednesday afternoon, when Royals manager Ned Yost pointed it out to a group of reporters before the game.

In an interview on Thursday morning, Morales said he thought the ejection was unwarranted. The buildup began when Morales was called out on a 3-2 pitch that appeared to be 3 inches off the outside corner of the plate. Morales returned to the Royals’ video room and watched a replay, he said. In the ninth inning, he returned to the plate for another at-bat and told Torres he missed the call.

“He (Morales) said he was very cordial about it, very respectful,” said Royals catching coach Pedro Grifol, who translated for Morales.

In the same at-bat, Torres called another borderline strike, Morales said. He protested after the at-bat and was ejected from the dugout. He then returned to the dugout in the bottom of the ninth and continued to argue — an automatic suspension under MLB rules.

“He (Torres) made two mistakes, and he (Morales) doesn’t understand why that’s his fault,” Grifol said, translating for Morales. “But that’s the way it is.”

Morales was in the Royals’ lineup on Thursday and can play until his appeal is heard. He can also drop his appeal at any time and serve the one-game suspension.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Royals’ Kendrys Morales appeals one-game suspension after ejection in Tuesday’s win."