A's reliever Sergio Romo drops pants during substance check

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

A's reliever Sergio Romo drops pants in response to foreign substance check

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/23/21

If you thought Max Scherzer unbuckling his belt in response to a foreign substance check was hilarious, then you'll definitely want to see what Oakland Athletics reliever Sergio Romo did in response to a banned substances check.

After allowing a solo home run in the seventh inning of Oakland's 13-6 win over the Texas Rangers, Romo took exception with the umpires checking him for illegal substances. The veteran reliever tossed his glove and hat on the grass, took his belt off and pulled his pants down before heading to the dugout.

Sergio Romo dropped his pants when the umpire asked to check for foreign substances

[via @mlb / youtube] pic.twitter.com/DF8Utldo4n
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) June 23, 2021

A's manager Bob Melvin said after the game that he didn't think Romo's gesture was out of hostility.

"He's a playful guy and I don't think he meant anything by it," Melvin said, according to Yahoo Sports. "I will credit the umpires with the way they've handled it. They've been fantastic and try to make light of it, smile with guys and do it quickly, so that won't happen again. Just the playful side of him came out. I don't think he meant anything by it. But the umpires are trying to do their job as well."

Still, it's unclear if Romo was genuinely upset or if he was just joking around.

MLB began to crack down on the use of foreign substances earlier this week by checking pitcher's gloves, hands, hats and belts in the middle of games. If a pitcher is found to be using a foreign substance, they can be suspended for 10 days.

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