Torre speaks to Belt about tension with umps
SAN FRANCISCO -- After seeing the Giants endure a couple of contentious days with umpiring crews, Joe Torre chatted with Brandon Belt to help the first baseman adjust his attitude.
Wednesday's game against Cincinnati ended with Belt taking a called third strike, then griping about umpire Doug Eddings' decision to reporters. Thursday, Brandon Crawford was ejected for, as he said, dropping his bat on the ground after believing he had walked. He actually had taken strike three.
Crawford jokingly said later, "It's all Belt's fault."
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All kidding aside, Torre, whose responsibilities as chief baseball officer include disciplining uniformed personnel, was spurred to speak to Belt. It was not known whether Belt was fined by Torre, who manager Bruce Bochy said initiated the phone call.
Bochy, who was ejected along with Crawford, urged for calm to prevail. Umpires, Bochy said, are "going to make some mistakes, just like we're going to make some."
• Outfielder Mac Williamson (concussion) began his Minor League injury rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Sacramento. Bochy said as a "rough estimate" that Williamson could need a week to 10 days to play himself back into shape.
• Bochy estimated that second baseman Joe Panik (sprained left thumb) could begin his rehab assignment by the end of the month, which coincides with the conclusion of San Francisco's May 28-30 visit to Colorado.