Tampa Bay Rays reliever Joel Peralta has his glove checked and removed by home plate umpire Tim Tschida in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Peralta did not remain in the game and never threw a pitch.
Washington -- Tuesday night's game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Washington Nationals ended with a Rays victory, but a lot of talk still remains over the ejection of a Rays reliever before he could even throw a pitch.
Joel Peralta was ready to start the bottom of the 8th inning when Nats manager Davey Johnson asked umpires to check Peralta's glove for any foreign substances.
Umpires found an "excessive amount" of pine tar on his glove, which is sometimes used to help pitchers grip the ball. Peralta, who used to play for Washington, was thrown from the game and could now face a suspension.
After the game, Rays manager Joe Maddon was steamed over Johnson's protest, calling it "insider trading" and "bush." He also hinted that Peralta was not the only pitcher using foreign substances.
Contributing: The Associated Press