Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been suspended two games for his angry outburst directed at home plate umpire Bill Welke during Wednesday’s game against the Pirates, per Jamie Ramsey, the Reds’ assistant director of media relations. He plans to appeal the suspension.
Votto disagreed with Welke’s strike zone during the course of the night, and the final straw was when the NL MVP candidate asked for time and was denied by Welke. Votto was ejected very quickly after expressing disapproval, which caused him to get quite upset.
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Votto is the major league leader in walks with 123. He led the league in walks and in on-base percentage in three consecutive seasons from 2011-13. This season, he’s hitting .317/.460/.561 with 27 home runs, 71 RBI, and 87 runs scored in 604 plate appearances.