MIAMI (WBTV) – The home plate umpire who started Monday’s baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins had to exit after he was hit in the face with two foul balls in the same inning.
Alfonso Marquez was behind the plate for the May 18 matchup in Miami, when the first foul ball went off the bat of Atlanta’s Austin Riley into Marquez’s facemask.
Marquez took his mask off and walked around for a few seconds before he put his gear back on and resumed the second inning.
Seven pitches later, the Braves’ Mauricio Dubon fouled another ball back, again into Marquez’s face.
Following the Dubon foul, Marquez stood still then took off his mask and immediately began holding his face. Medical staff then came out to check on Marquez, and he was eventually removed from the game.
The Associated Press reported the game was delayed for about 16 minutes because of Marquez’s injury. Once play resumed, it did so with a three-man umpiring crew — one short of the usual four.
Marquez has been a full-time umpire in the major leagues since 2000, according to the AP.
The Marlins went on to trounce the Braves, 12-0. Miami’s win was highlighted by a grand slam from third baseman Javier Sanoja. The slam was Sanoja’s first home run of the year, and helped hand the Braves their worst loss of the 2026 season.
The Braves and Marlins will play the second game of the current four-game series on Tuesday afternoon.
The same umpiring crew usually works whole series together, meaning Marquez would likely be back on the diamond for the rest of the Braves’ set against the Marlins if he is able.
FILE — An umpire had to leave the May 18 Braves-Marlins game after he was hit by a Mauricio Dubon (pictured) foul ball.(Mike Stewart | AP)
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