Padres pull Walker Buehler after second mound visit error

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen accidentally forced starting pitcher Walker Buehler out of Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals due to a rule violation. Stammen initiated a mound visit in the third inning intending to pull the pitcher but reconsidered after a conversation. He failed to realize that pitching coach Ruben Niebla had already made a mound visit to Buehler earlier in the same inning. Under MLB regulations, a second visit to the same pitcher in one inning requires an automatic pitching change. Buehler departed after 2.1 innings having allowed two earned runs with four strikeouts. Kyle Hart entered in relief and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings to help the Padres secure a 9-2 win. The team remains in the National League Wild Card race with an overall record of 78-68.

• 2:49 PMYahoo Sports — Padres’ major blunder forces pitcher to leave game suddenly