Ump an equal-opportunity ejector

Jim Mone, AP

Todd Tichenor, left, gave Red Sox manager Terry Francona, center, got the heave-ho after ejecting catcher Jason Varitek in the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday at the Metrodome.

Todd Tichenor kicked out both starting catchers and both managers in the seventh inning Thursday.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: May 28, 2009 - 11:38 PM

The umpire who made four ejections in the seventh inning of the Twins' 3-1 loss to Boston on Thursday is among several minor league umps who make regular appearances filling in on big-league crews.

Todd Tichenor, 32, made his big league umpiring debut in 2007 and had called 81 games, including 17 behind home plate, heading into this season, according to Retrosheet.org. On Thursday, he was filling in for 33-year veteran Ed Montague.

Tichenor handed Twins catcher Mike Redmond, a 12-year major league veteran, his first career ejection almost immediately after Redmond began arguing the play at home plate, where Jeff Bailey scored on Dustin Pedroia's sacrifice fly.

"It was a perfect throw, right on the money," Redmond said. "I thought I got him. I don't know what else to say."

Said Bailey: "Question is, did I get my hand in there first? I really can't tell. ... When I came out of the slide, I pointed down at the plate and said, 'Yeah, I got my hand in there!' "

Tichenor wasn't available for comment. Crew chief Jerry Layne told a pool reporter from the Associated Press, "I just looked at our replay and it's inconclusive." Redmond made no contact with Tichenor during the argument, Layne said.

"I thought Red was emotional, sure," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He jumped up, but he's just going to argue a little call. I just thought [Tichenor] pulled the trigger too quick, that's all."

However Gardenhire conveyed that to Tichenor, it got him tossed, too.

A half-inning later, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett began barking at Tichenor after he called a close pitch a ball. Catcher Jason Varitek got in Tichenor's face, probably to protect Beckett, and became the third ejectee. Moments later, Red Sox manager Terry Francona became the fourth.

It was Gardenhire's 43rd career ejection, Francona's 26th and Varitek's fourth.

"It was a difficult situation to be in as an umpire, and I thought that Todd Tichenor did an extremely good job," Layne said. "... He didn't let the game get out of control by not taking charge. He didn't throw anybody out that didn't deserve to be thrown out."

Punto hobbled

Gardenhire gave Nick Punto a break, saying his shortstop is day-to-day because of a sore groin.

Punto had an error Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the first time he has had errors on back-to-back days since Aug. 1-2, 2006. He is also batting .187.

"Knowing Nicky, he's been playing with it, and it probably has had something to do with all of his throws lately," Gardenhire said.

Etc.

• Michael Cuddyer had played every inning for 34 consecutive games before getting a break Thursday. After Redmond's ejection, the Twins lost their designated hitter, as Joe Mauer moved from DH to catcher. Cuddyer entered as a pinch hitter for reliever Sean Henn in the seventh inning and drew a walk.

• The Twins held a pregame meeting to present Delmon Young with a memorial in his mother's name. The team took a collection in honor of Bonnie Young, who died last week after a 3 1/2-month battle with pancreatic and liver cancer.

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