Giovanny Gallegos jogging out to the mound with one out and two runners on in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field was no surprise. He has been used largely as the high-leverage set-up man in close games, and with the Cardinals clinging to a 1-0 lead over the White Sox, it was very much his spot to be in.
It was an innocuous appearance, even with the game on the line.
Until it wasn’t.
Gallegos and catcher Andrew Knizner were approached on the mound by the game’s umpiring crew, headlined by crew chief Joe West. They appeared to engage in a brief conversation, until West motioned to the brim of his ball cap, signifying there was a substance concern.
Manager Mike Shildt stormed out of the visitors dugout. A few choice words later and he had been tossed by West.
