Tensions ran high at Great American Ball Park when Reds first baseman Joey Votto was ejected in the eighth inning of Cincinnati’s 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Pitcher Tony Watson dealt a called second strike on the outside corner to Votto, who argued umpire Bill Welke’s call on the 1-1 pitch and was ultimately thrown out.

That’s when things escalated. Votto slammed his helmet to the ground and tossed his bat before getting in Welke’s face in a series of events that lasted more than a minute.

Manager Bryan Price was also ejected for arguing the strike call.

Votto struck out twice in three at-bats, and the loss dropped the Reds to 57-81 on the season.

[MLB]

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com