Controversial Play at the Plate in NLCS Game 1 Leads to Joe Maddon’s Ejection

A close play at the plate involving Willson Contreras, Charlie Culberson and a Dodgers challenge ended with a very angry Joe Maddon.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon was ejected in the seventh inning of Saturday’s NLCS Game 1 against the Dodgers after a controversial play at the plate led to the Dodgers scoring their fifth run of the game.

L.A. went up 5–2 after it was ruled that Cubs catcher Willson Contreras illegally blocked the plate to obstruct Dodgers shortstop Charlie Culberson from scoring. Contreras slid his left foot in front of the plate — before he received the ball, crucially — and although Culberson did not touch home, he was ruled safe because of Contreras’s positioning.

After a review, the Dodgers score their 5th run. Charlie Culberson was called out, but Contreras blocked the plate so he was called safe. pic.twitter.com/hgljybadMe

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 15, 2017

Although Culberson was initially ruled out, the Dodgers challenged the play successfully after a lengthy official review.

And Maddon, well, he was not pleased.

Joe Maddon is NOT happy! #Cubs #NLCS pic.twitter.com/CgZgHR7tGd

— ✶ Sports Mockery ✶ (@sportsmockery) October 15, 2017

The Cubs lost 5–2. Game 2 of the series is Sunday.