Rays' Taylor Walls fumes at umpire after being ejected in heated scene

One tap too many, apparently.
Rays shortstop Taylor Walls was ejected during the ninth inning of Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Astros for apparently tapping his helmet. The act was a nod to baseball's incoming Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, which is expected to be implemented in 2027.
Walls saw just one pitch from Astros closer Josh Hader, a slider down and away, which was clearly out of the strike zone, yet was called a strike by home plate umpire Nic Lentz.
Advertisement
The light-hitting shortstop then said something inaudible to the umpire and stepped out of the batter's box, tapping his helmet potentially in a mocking request to challenge the call.
5 Taylor Walls taps his helmet during the ninth inning of Sunday's game.
X, @MLBONFOX
However, that is not yet allowed in the league, and he was swiftly ejected.
Advertisement
Walls, who is hitting just .188 this year after hitting .183 in 2024, went berserk after the ejection.
Walls' aggressive reaction shocked broadcasters, as well as coaches, who were unable to corral him in an attempt to deescalate the situation and saw him run back at the umpire.
Lentz gave a clear explanation of the ejection, adding that it was because of the way he tapped his helmet, which ignited the fury-filled aftermath.
Advertisement
5 Umpire Nic Lentz ejects Taylor Walls
X, @MLBONFOX
5 Taylor Walls goes wild at Nic Lentz during ejection.
X, @MLBONFOX
After the game, Walls denied mocking the umpire with a mock-challenge request and that he didn't even remember the heated back and forth.
'I just remember going to get into the box, kind of adjusting my helmet, and then hearing him mouthing something,' Walls told FanDuel's Ryan Bass.
Advertisement
'I think I said, huh, like, 'What'd you say? I can't hear you.' At that point, I have no recollection of it, but after seeing the video, it looks like I tapped my helmet, but it was totally unintentional, something I was not consciously aware of at all,' Walls went on. 'I'm looking right at him when I'm doing it with no sincere, at that point, maybe I was frustrated with the strike call, but there was no sincerity of trying to show the guy up.
5 Taylor Walls is held back by coaches during an ejection.
X, @MLBONFOX
'I don't know how he didn't see that in the moment, but I'm looking right at him. We're so confused, trying to understand what he said and I think it was just a mannerism that happened because I was stepping into the box, kind of re-adjusting my helmet at the time, and that just happened. He comes out, and he's like, 'We're not doing that. You're out of here,' and tosses me.
'So, at this point, I have no idea that I just, what looked like to him, tapped my helmet, so I'm ticked off. I'm like, what are you talking about? I didn't say anything to you. I'm asking you what you said, and [I] had no recollection that I even made a gesture that looked like that. Never in my life have I shown an umpire [up] like [that], been that disrespectful to do something like that. We didn't even have the ABS in spring training, so just to be so on edge thinking that somebody's just trying to be so disrespectful and show you up at that point, I think it was premature.'
5 Taylor Walls goes back for more at umpire Nic Lentz.
X, @MLBONFOX
The Rays are now in third place in the AL East with a 30-29 record after losing two of three to the Astros.
They open up a three-game set with the Rangers on Monday.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Fox Sports

2 hours ago

• Fox Sports

How to Watch Angels vs. Astros: TV Channel & Live Stream

Data Skrive Jose Soriano starts for the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday at Angel Stadium against Jeremy Pena and the Houston Astros. First pitch is at 9:38 p.m. ET for the second game of a three-game series. Take a look at everything you need to know to watch the Angels vs. Astros game. Keep up with MLB on FOX Sports. Angels' Zach Neto confronted Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown after hit by pitch. Angels vs. Astros Game Information & How to Watch When: Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 9:38 p.m. ET Where: Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California TV: Watch on FDSW, SCHN Box Score: Fox Sports Angels vs. Astros Prediction Score Prediction: Astros 5, Angels 4 Total Prediction: Over 8.5 runs Win Probabilities: Angels 52%, Astros 48% Angels vs. Astros Head to Head Date Favorite Spread Total Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Result 6/20/2025 Astros -1.5 8 -171 +143 3-2 HOU 4/13/2025 Astros -1.5 8.5 -164 +138 7-3 HOU 4/12/2025 Astros -1.5 9 -165 +140 4-1 LAA 4/11/2025 Astros -1.5 8.5 -141 +119 14-3 HOU 9/22/2024 Astros -1.5 8 -273 +223 9-8 LAA 9/21/2024 Astros -1.5 7.5 -235 +193 10-4 HOU 9/20/2024 Astros -1.5 8 -256 +207 9-7 HOU 9/19/2024 Astros -1.5 8 -292 +234 3-1 HOU 9/15/2024 Astros -1.5 9 -204 +169 6-4 HOU 9/14/2024 Astros -1.5 8.5 -168 +140 5-3 HOU Angels Last 10 Game Stats Stat Avg/Total Record 5-5 Runs Per Game 2.8 HR 13 ERA 3.30 K/9 9.6 Angels Player Insights The Angels best hitter thus far this season is Nolan Schanuel, who's hitting at a team-leading .273 rate along with five homers and 25 RBI. In all of Major League Baseball, Schanuel is 185th in homers and 154th in RBI. Taylor Ward has shown off his power as he paces his team with 19 home runs and 50 runs batted in. Ward is ninth in homers and 14th in RBI among all batters in baseball. Ward carries a two-game streak with at least one hit into this contest. During his last five outings he is batting .150 with a home run, two walks and three RBIs. Zach Neto is batting .263 with 13 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 11 walks. Jo Adell is batting .222 with seven doubles, 16 home runs and 14 walks. Adell has recorded at least one hit in three straight games. In his last five games he is hitting .167 with three home runs, two walks and four RBIs. Angels Recent & Upcoming Games Astros Last 10 Game Stats Stat Avg/Total Record 8-2 Runs Per Game 6.1 HR 16 ERA 2.57 K/9 10.9 Astros Player Insights Pena leads the team in batting average with a mark of .328. In all of MLB, Pena is 65th in homers and 56th in RBI. Pena takes a hitting streak of three games into this game. During his last five outings he is batting .364 with a home run, two walks and four RBIs. Isaac Paredes has hit 16 home runs with 45 RBI, leading the team in both categories. Paredes ranks 14th in home runs and 25th in RBI among all major league hitters this year. Jose Altuve has 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 21 walks while hitting .269. Jake Meyers has 13 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 23 walks while hitting .307. Astros Recent & Upcoming Games FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Los Angeles Angels Houston Astros recommended

Yahoo

4 hours ago

• Yahoo

Rays owner in ‘advanced talks' to sell MLB franchise for $1.7 billion

The Rays revealed Wednesday that owner Stu Sternberg is in 'advanced talks' to sell the team. The potential deal values the MLB club at $1.7 billion with a group led by Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski having executed a letter of intent to purchase the club, per Sportico. Advertisement 'The Tampa Bay Rays announced that the team has recently commenced exclusive discussions with a group led by Patrick Zalupski, Bill Cosgrove, Ken Babby and prominent Tampa Bay investors concerning a possible sale of the team,' the team said in a statement. 'Neither the Rays nor the group will have further comment during the discussions.' Rays' Junior Caminero runs the bases after his double off Miami Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera. AP The Rays perennially have one of the smallest payrolls in Major League Baseball but have been one of the most successful teams since 2008, with the third-highest winning percentage in that time. Only the Yankees and the Dodgers have a higher win percentage. Sternberg, principal owner of the franchise, purchased the Rays in 2004 for $200 million, but has faced mounting pressure to sell the team in recent years. Advertisement According to The Athletic, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and other owners have been attempting to persuade Sternberg to sell. The Rays have spent considerable time trying to build a new stadium to replace Tropicana Field. They had a deal in place to begin building a new 30,000-capacity stadium as part of a mixed-use development in the Historic Gas Plant District in downtown St. Petersburg. Patrick Zalupski is the founder, chairman and CEO of Dream Finders Homes, a Florida-based homebuilder. University of Florida Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton. AFP via Getty Images However, as the March 31 funding deadline passed, Sternberg announced that the plans were being scrapped due to financing delays. Currently, the Rays are unable to play at Tropicana Field after the stadium sustain massive damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024. They are instead playing out of George M. Steinbrenner field in Tampa, which is the site of the Yankees' spring training facility and home of their High-A club. Advertisement A Rays sale would be MLB's third franchise to change hands in recent years. In 2020, the Mets were sold to Steve Cohen, and, in 2024, a group led by David Rubenstein bought the Orioles. The news of the franchise's potential sale came just hours before ESPN reported the majority share of the NBA's Lakers being sold to Mark Walter, owner of MLB's Dodgers, in a $10 billion deal.

Yahoo

4 hours ago

• Yahoo

Another buyer has made offer for Rays in potential twist

Another potential Rays buyer has thrown a hat in the ring. Trip Miller, the founder of a Memphis hedge fund, is the latest to join the billionaire race to own the Rays as he created a group that made an all-cash offer to Rays owner Stu Sternberg, according to The Athletic. Advertisement 'We made an offer last week,' Miller said, per The Athletic. 'We have had contact with the club over the past month, specifically about our offer. Rays' current owner, Stuart Sternberg, answered reporters' questions in March. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images 'If there is an exclusivity period that expires soon, and I don't know when it expires, we would welcome the opportunity to have a deeper discussion with the Rays about our offer.' It was reported Wednesday that Sternberg was in 'advanced talks' to sell the franchise with a group led by Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski having executed a letter of intent to purchase the club. Patrick Zalupski is the founder, chairman and CEO of Dream Finders Homes, a Florida-based homebuilder. University of Florida Zalupski's group's offer was reported to be $1.7 billion, according to Sportico. Advertisement As for Miller's offer, he did not reveal the number but included that he and his group are willing to raise the number if necessary. The Rays are currently in need of a new stadium as they can't play at Tropicana Field after the stadium sustained damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024. Tampa Bay has instead played at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa — home to the Yankees' spring training and Low-A team. Tropicana Field was ravaged by Hurricane Milton in October 2024. AFP via Getty Images The stadium issue is something that MLB is hoping a new owner would solve, as Sternberg had a deal in place to begin building a new 30,000-capacity stadium in downtown St. Petersburg before the plans ended because of financing delays. Advertisement 'The league, that's what they're looking for — someone who can not only buy the club but solves the stadium problem,' Miller said. While finding a new stadium is a priority, relocating out of Central Florida is seemingly not an option. Rays legend Evan Longoria puts on a jersey after signing an honorary one-day contract, alongside current Rays owner Stu Sternberg. AP 'This is not a relocation play to another state,' Miller said. 'You won't see the Rays relocating out of Central Florida, whether it was our group or another group.' Miller said that Orlando is not out of the realm of possibilities for relocation and that, all in all, the total investment for the team and a new stadium will be more than $3 billion.