NEW YORK (AP) -Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected in the first inning of a crucial game Sunday night against the Mets for arguing an unusual call: catcher's interference.
New York slugger David Wright was awarded first base after a foul ball because plate umpire Jerry Meals ruled Chris Coste's mitt touched Wright's bat as he swung.
Manuel came out of the dugout and the 6-foot-4 manager towered over Meals as he gestured and pointed down at the ump. After a long argument, Meals ejected Manuel while the Shea Stadium crowd roared.
It was Manuel's fourth ejection this season. The NL East-leading Mets went on to score three times in the first and win 6-3 for a doubleheader split that left them two games ahead of second-place Philadelphia with 19 to play.
"I think the catcher's interference played a big part in the game," Manuel said.
Replays showed Coste grimacing and yanking his mitt back toward his body as Wright followed through on a late swing - though it was difficult to tell for sure if his bat grazed the glove. After the pitch, Wright immediately turned around and pointed to Coste, who was charged with an error.
"It surprised me when Wright looked back. I was confused with what the deal was," Coste said. "It was a huge play. It's the most embarrassing thing for the catcher. You take that out of the equation, it's a whole new game."
Carlos Beltran hit Cole Hamels' next delivery for an RBI single and Wright slid safely into third on a close play, bringing Phillies bench coach Jimy Williams out for an argument.
"The guy was out twice," Manuel said, insisting that Wright slid past the bag.
Carlos Delgado's two-run single gave the Mets a 3-1 lead, and pitching coach Rich Dubee paid a visit to Hamels on the mound. That made it two Phillies coaches and the manager on the field after five Mets batters.
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