'That's amazing' - Altuve ejected after taking off shoe to protest call

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was ejected from Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Angels after taking off his shoe to protest a called third strike.

Altuve was called out on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Astros trailing 5-3. He immediately began arguing with home plate umpire Laz Diaz, and then took off his shoe and threw it toward Diaz.

Diaz immediately ejected Altuve, who continued to argue as he walked off the field. Astros manager Dusty Baker also came out to argue, but he was not ejected.

Altuve's ejection is the second time in less than a week that an Astros player has been thrown out of a game for arguing with an umpire. On Saturday, shortstop Jeremy Pena was ejected from a game against the Chicago White Sox after arguing a called strike three.

The Astros are now 1-4 in their last five games, and they have dropped to 2.5 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL West.

Why was Altuve ejected?

Altuve was ejected for throwing his shoe toward home plate umpire Laz Diaz after being called out on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning.

What did Altuve say after the game?

Altuve did not speak to the media after the game, but he did post a message on his Instagram account apologizing for his actions.

What is the penalty for throwing a shoe at an umpire?

The penalty for throwing a shoe at an umpire is an automatic ejection from the game. The player may also be suspended by the league, although the length of the suspension will vary depending on the severity of the offense.

What is the Astros' record since Altuve's ejection?

The Astros are 1-4 in their last five games, and they have dropped to 2.5 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL West.