Umpiring controversy and ejections overshadow Yankees' Houston series

HOUSTON — The New York Yankees’ three-game trip to Houston ended with a series victory but was overshadowed by a string of heated ejections and disputed umpiring decisions that drew criticism from players, fans and Major League Baseball. The incidents peaked in Wednesday night’s 8-7 loss to the Astros when reliever Devin Williams was removed after issuing a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning and was ejected by home plate umpire Brian Walsh while arguing balls and strikes. Manager Aaron Boone was tossed moments later after confronting Walsh, and the inning spiraled as a string of relievers yielded multiple runs.

Williams’ walk gave Houston the lead, and the Yankees’ bullpen woes continued after Boone summoned Camilo Doval. Doval allowed an RBI single to Jeremy Peña, balked in a run and uncorked a wild pitch that produced another as the Astros pulled away. New York’s Cody Bellinger hit a three-run homer in the ninth but it was not enough to overcome the late collapse. Earlier in the game Giancarlo Stanton and Austin Wells provided homers for New York, and starter Will Warren worked five innings, but the bullpen again failed to hold a lead.

Criticism focused on Walsh’s...