The Tampa Bay Rays suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to the Houston Astros on Sunday, but the final score wasn’t the only talking point. Rays infielder Taylor Walls was ejected under bizarre circumstances in the top of the ninth inning after a disputed strike call.

Rays shortstop Taylor Walls was ejected during the ninth inning of Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Astros for apparently tapping his helmet. The act was a nod to baseball’s incoming Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, which is expected to be implemented in 2027.

A batter tapping their helmet was the signal for challenging a call when the Automated Ball-Strike System was used during spring training in Major League Baseball. The system is still in use in minor league games, but is not currently being used in regular season games in MLB. used.