Altuve takes cleat, sock off as part of epic ejection

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve prompted one of the most comical ejections in recent memory during Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres.

Altuve grounded out to end the top of the ninth inning but was convinced he fouled the ball. He proceeded to take his left cleat and sock off in an effort to prove to home plate umpire Brennan Miller that the ball struck his foot. He was quickly ejected from the game as a result.

"Sometimes you get hit somewhere in the hand and you take off your batting glove to show that you got hit, I was expecting to do the same thing," Altuve told reporters postgame, including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

Grae Kessinger replaced Altuve to start the bottom of the ninth inning.

Altuve, who exited with one hit in five at-bats, voiced his frustration about what he deemed was the wrong call in a crucial spot.

"I get a foul ball because it hit my foot, and they just took it away from me," he said. "I don't think it can happen. There is four (umpires) on the field. You can see the change of direction on the ball and just make the right call."

The Astros ultimately beat the Friars 4-3 in extras anyway.