Cubs' Lackey, Contreras tossed mid-play in bizarre sequence

John Lackey and Willson Contreras weren't leaving without a fight.

Both members of the Chicago Cubs' battery were ejected in the fifth inning of Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals during a bizarre mid-play sequence that resulted in a Cardinals lead.

After his fifth pitch of the at-bat to Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez was called a ball by home-plate umpire Jordan Baker, Lackey began yelling at Baker in shock and had to be held back. Even Martinez thought it was strike three and had begun walking back to the first-base dugout.

One pitch later, Martinez laced an RBI single that gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead. Immediately after giving up the hit, Lackey ran to home plate while raging at Baker and attempting to cover his position, resulting in his ejection as the play continued.

Contreras was quickly tossed himself moments later. He then slammed his mask to the ground, inadvertently hitting Baker in the foot.

Lackey was replaced by Justin Wilson, while Alex Avila took over behind the plate for Contreras.

Wilson ended the inning by striking out Matt Carpenter. St. Louis led 2-1 after 4 1/2 innings.