Oakland Athletics’ Matt Chapman, right, is tossed from the game by home plate umpire Mike Everitt after Chapman argued with Los Angeles Angels catcher Juan Graterol during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–It started with Oakland A’s third baseman Matt Chapman standing in at the plate on Wednesday afternoon when Los Angeles Angels catcher Juan Graterol got into a firey exchange with Chapman. Graterol jumped up out of his crotch and started jawing at Chapman over Chapman looking back and telling Chapman to stop stealing signs. Then A’s manager Bob Melvin came running out of the dugout wondering what was happening? Melvin is talking to Everitt and he goes back to the dugout and they thought it was settled.

Graterol was still chirping at Chapman and Chapman gave it back to him and that’s when Everitt tossed him. Chapman wasn’t raising his voice he was getting heated and he didn’t say any bad words but he got tossed for not letting it go and that is what happened on Wednesday. When A’s centerfielder Mark Canha was at the plate Graterol was accusing Canha of stealing signs. So when Chapman came to the plate he has something to say about Graterol’s treatment of Canha.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com