Overview

• Home-plate umpire Nic Lentz ejected Walls in the ninth inning after interpreting an unintentional helmet adjustment as a challenge via the Automated Ball-Strike System.
• Walls said postgame that he was merely frustrated by a seemingly low strike call and had no intent to disrespect the umpire.
• The Rays fell 1-0 to the Astros on June 1, slipping to 30-29 and into third place in the AL East.
• Manager Kevin Cash and bench coach Rodney Linares intervened to restrain Walls during a heated argument with Lentz on the field.
• The incident underscored growing sensitivity around ABS signaling as MLB gears up to implement the system in 2027.