Carlos Mendoza was irate.
The Mets manager was ejected from the team’s series-opening 7-6 win over the Rockies Friday night at Citi Field after arguing with home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak.
Infielder Jose Iglesias was called out on strikes by Rehak in the bottom of the seventh inning, with the Mets leading 7-3.
The pitch — a curveball from Rockies pitcher Peter Lambert — was high, above the strike zone.
Iglesias immediately showed his displeasure with the call before Mendoza began barking from the Mets’ dugout.
Rehak subsequently tossed Mendoza, and the Mets’ skipper then came out of the dugout and gave the umpire an earful.
“I thought they got a few calls [for strikes] that I thought were balls, especially up in the zone,” Mendoza said after the game. “That last one, I thought was way out [of the zone].
“But look, I understand they have a hard job, and Jeremie is really good at his job. They’re human, I know they’re working really hard behind the plate. Just felt like I needed to express my frustrations there.”
The Citi Field crowd cheered Mendoza as he argued and gave him an ovation as he eventually made his way back to the clubhouse.
Iglesias had previosuly hit two solo homers earlier in the game.
“It was electric all night long,” Iglesias said. “That’s special. That’s what it’s all about.”
