Two Umpires Start Padres-Rangers Game Before Full Crew Arrives

The San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers began their game Friday night with only two umpires on the field. Emil Jimenez and John Bacon were the only officials ready at first pitch because of travel delays. Gabe Morales and Mike Muchlinski arrived and joined them in the middle of the first inning.

Jimenez behind home plate, Bacon worked alone in the outfield during the top of the first. He ejected Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta for arguing a check-swing call after the Padres scored five runs. The Rangers responded with six runs in the bottom of the first and won 9-7. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said the reduced crew created a difficult situation during a key moment.

Both teams received an extra replay challenge for the series opener because only half the normal crew was present at the start. None of the challenges were used during the game. Jimenez, Morales and Muchlinski had worked the previous night at Yankee Stadium with another umpire.