York third baseman Ramon Castro makes an off-balance throw to first base in time to retire Bridgeports Joey Gathright in Wednesdays game at Sovereign Bank Stadium. The Revs fell to the Bluefish, 3-1. (John A. Pavoncello photo)

York Revolution manager Andy Etchebarren has been around the game of baseball for five-plus decades.

So, it's noteworthy when the 69-year-old skipper says he saw something in a game for the first time ever.

Etchebarren said he can't believe the events that transpired against the Bridgeport Bluefish at Sovereign Bank Stadium on Wednesday night.

It all started in the bottom of the ninth inning when home plate umpire Matt Beaver signaled for York's bat boy to throw a baseball out to Bridgeport reliever Juan Rincon.

"He had the bat boy throwing the balls to the pitcher. I've never seen that in my life," Etchebarren said.

After it happened a couple more times, Etchebarren and the York players instructed the

York manager Andy Etchebarren has words with first base umpire Mark Facto. (John A. Pavoncello photo)
18-year-old bat boy to stop throwing balls out to Rincon, saying that it was the home-plate umpire's responsibility. Etchebarren soon went out to talk to Beaver.

"I went out and said 'What are you doing?' He (Beaver) said 'My (ball) bags are wet.' I said '(expletive) your bags.' I said 'The bat boy is not throwing anymore of your balls out there. That's unprofessional.' I've never seen that," Etchebarren said. "He said 'You're not telling me what to do.' I said 'I'm not telling you what to do. I'm telling the bat boy not to throw any more balls out.' And he threw me out."

A moment later Beaver called a third strike on Ramon Castro for the final out of the game to leave a York runner stranded on base. Castro argued the call as Beaver walked off the field.

It capped off what turned out to be an odd night in the Revs' 3-1 loss to the Bluefish.

Earlier in the game, first base umpire Mark Facto ejected York starter Chris Waters (2-4) in the top of the sixth inning. In that frame, Facto had ruled Prentice Redman did not go around on a check swing that would've been a third strike and the second out in the inning. Redman later walked and Bridgeport tacked on three runs on a fielder's choice and an RBI double

York starter Chris Waters turned in a solid pitching performance. The lefty gave up three runs on just two hits in 5 innings of work. (John A. Pavoncello photo)
by Luis Lopez before Etchebarren pulled Waters for reliever Adam Thomas.

As Waters was walking off the field, he said he tipped his cap to the fans.

"I don't know if he was tipping it at the crowd or tipping it to him (Facto) for not calling that swing," Etchebarren said. "That wasn't a check swing. That was a swing. It cost us three runs."

Beaver later ejected Revs' reliever Yunior Novoa after the left-hander shared some words with him at the end of the top of the eighth inning.

York (45-44 overall, 9-10 second half) got its lone run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Castro that scored Joe Thurston from third.

The ejections overshadowed what turned out to be a good pitching performance by Waters, who

Revs first baseman Chris Nowak flips the ball to pitcher Chris Waters to retire Bridgeports Joey Gathright. (John A. Pavoncello photo)
gave up the three runs on just two hits in 52/3 innings of work.

Bridgeport starter Raymar Diaz (3-9) also held York to one run on four hits in 52/3 innings.

Next game: York has now lost two in a row to Bridgeport (41-47, 10-8) after beating Lancaster in three straight games.

The Revs will host the Bluefish in the series finale Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. York left-hander Chris Cody (5-11, 5.05 ERA) will face lefty Gilbert De La Vara (6-5, 3.75).

Game notes: Castro and outfielder Michael Hernandez returned to the Revs' lineup Wednesday night. Castro (undisclosed illness) had missed the previous two games while Hernandez (shoulder) missed the previous 17 games. ... Revs' reliever R.J. Rodriguez also made his first appearance for York since June 24 after signing with the club earlier in the week. He left the club in the middle of the season to pitch in the Mexican League. ... York's Scott Grimes was not with the club on Wednesday for personal reasons. Etchebarren said he's unsure when the outfielder will return.

-- Reach John Walk at jwalk@yorkdispatch.com.