The Red Sox and A's open a three-game series on Friday night in Boston, and rookie umpire Dan Bellino will be calling balls and strikes for Clay Buchholz and Josh Outman.
It was Bellino, of course, who ejected then Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre for seemingly nothing during a game last season, when Bellino apparently misinterpreted Beltre trash talking with former teammate Felix Hernandez. Bellino was working as a fill-in that night.
Bellino was also the source of controversy a couple of weeks ago when he was behind the plate for a May 18 game between the Yankees and Orioles. Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzalez hit Chris Dickerson in the head in the 15th inning of a game, and Bellino responded by ejecting Gonzalez.
Tony Randazzo will be at first base, Larry Vanover at second and crew chief Brian Gorman will be making the calls at third.
