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The Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system has provided its own set of challenges during the 2026 season, but players and managers have learned that in baseball, it’s the truth — as long as the umpire can see that a challenge has been made.
Two-time All-Star Brandon Lowe learned the hard way during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 10-9 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. He flew out in the fourth inning and was ejected.
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Brandon Lowe of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon during the third inning in Pittsburgh on May 27, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Lowe attempted to challenge a strike call in the bottom of the fourth inning. Home plate umpire Alex Tosi didn’t look at Lowe as he tapped his helmet to signal a challenge. Tosi declined the challenge and appeared to explain to Pirates manager Don Kelly why it was not granted.
As Lowe rounded first on the fly, he was thrown out by first base umpire Jordan Baker. It was Lowe’s first ejection of his career.
“Pretty sad first ejection, I guess, if we look at ejections as a whole,” he said via MLB.com. “But yeah, I was just frustrated with myself, and I let out my frustration and got thrown out for it. I didn’t even realize I had been thrown out until I was about three-quarters of the way back to the dugout, and I saw (hitting manager Jonny Tucker) kind of pointing toward first base.”
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe is congratulated by first baseman Spencer Horwitz after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on May 21, 2026. (Jeff Curry/Imagn Images)
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Kelly told reporters that it was explained to him that the challenge was rejected because it was determined that he was influenced by the shelter.
“It was just total, like Jordan didn’t understand what (Lowe) was saying and totally overreacted, I thought,” Kelly said. “Lowe was upset thinking he threw ball four, and Jordan thought he was yelling at the home plate umpire, and it was a total misunderstanding.”
Brandon Lowe of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Konnor Griffin after both scored on a Bryan Reynolds double against Chicago Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks in the first inning in Pittsburgh on May 26, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
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Lowe leads the Pirates in home runs with 14. He was 1 for 3 with a run scored before being ejected from the game.
