SAN FRANCISCO – For the most part, Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was lighthearted about his first ejection of 2008.

Piniella was tossed in the second inning Sunday night at U.S. Cellular Field against the White Sox, who swept the weekend interleague series with the Cubs. Piniella, who did not address the media after the 5-1 loss, protested an appeal call by first base umpire Chad Fairchild.

“I was talking to the first base umpire about a checked swing and I got ambushed from behind,” Piniella said Monday before his team opened a four-game series with the San Francisco Giants. “Then I got my money's worth – I think, probably. This was a minor thing. I was talking to the first base umpire about the checked swing and he said, 'You can't be on the field.' I was going back to the dugout and the other guy ambushed me. Anyway, he ran me. I didn't even know I was rung 'til they told me to get off the field. What are you going to do? I guess the first base umpire was going to allow me to go back to the dugout and the home plate umpire shook me.”

When the White Sox's Joe Crede had a checked swing at a potential third strike, an appeal was made to Fairchild, who ruled no swing and a ball.

That brought a yelling Piniella out of the dugout in Fairchild's direction. Home plate umpire Rob Drake ejected Piniella, who then began arguing with Drake.

Crew chief Jeff Kellogg came down from third base to try to settle the situation. Piniella, known throughout his career for tantrums against umpires, left the field but not before waving at Fairchild and making another angry comment in his direction.

“You know what's amazing, is that umpires make mistakes and when you question them you'll end up paying the consequences. You can't argue anymore,” Piniella said. “Anyway, I got a little frustration out. It's over with. They're still my buddies.”

The Cubs had no statistics about whether this was the latest in a season during Piniella's managerial career that he thrown out for the first time, but they were looking into it.