Orioles RHP Alfredo Simon ejected after hitting home run leader Jose Bautista

Orioles’ Simon ejected after hitting Bautista

TORONTO — Baltimore Orioles right-hander Alfredo Simon was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays after hitting Toronto slugger Jose Bautista in the arm.

Simon replaced starter Rick VandenHurk to begin the fifth and got Aaron Hill to fly out. After throwing two balls to Bautista, the second of which was high and inside, Simon drilled Bautista on the left forearm and was ejected by plate umpire Bill Welke.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter came out to argue and was thrown out, his second ejection of the season.

Bautista leads the major leagues with 52 home runs. He’s had nine homers against Baltimore this season. He’s tied with Toronto’s Tony Batista (2000) and Washington’s Frank Howard (1968) for the most home runs against the Orioles in a single season.

VandenHurk also hit Bautista in the third, and Blue Jays right-hander Shaun Marcum hit Baltimore’s Luke Scott to begin the fourth.

Right-hander Matt Albers replaced Simon and ended the inning by getting Vernon Wells to ground into a double play.