Baltimore Orioles beat Minnesota Twins 8-6 on March 29, 2026, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The game marked the first ejection of a manager related to Major League Baseball's new Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) challenge system, involving Twins skipper Derek Shelton.[1][2]

In the top of the ninth inning, with the Twins trailing and attempting a rally, a runner stood on first base with one out. First baseman Josh Bell faced Orioles pitcher Ryan Helsley on a 3-2 count. The pitch was initially called a ball by the home plate umpire, but Helsley tapped his head to signal a challenge. An ABS review reversed the call to strike three, ending Bell's at-bat.[1][2]

Shelton charged from the dugout to argue that Helsley had not signaled the challenge quickly enough, within the three-second window. After extended discussion, second base umpire Laz Diaz ejected Shelton.[1][2]

"I didn’t think Helsley tapped his cap quick enough," Shelton said afterward. "Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t, but I didn’t feel he did. I feel like it’s gotta be something within the three seconds, and I didn’t think it was there. But the umpiring crew thought it was."[2]

Helsley acknowledged initial confusion, noting that Diaz confirmed the signal. "I can respect Shelton for trying to not get him to do it there, because it did seem like it was a little long in that moment," Helsley said.[1]

Earlier, Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning off Twins starter Bailey Ober. Twins third baseman Royce Lewis added his second homer of the year in the seventh inning. The loss came in the third game of the season-opening series for both American League teams.[1][2]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital
   Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton first ejected over ABS system
   March 30, 2026
   https://www.foxnews.com/sports
2. MLB.com
   Postgame quotes and match notes
   March 29, 2026
   https://www.mlb.com