Sunday’s game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees was sent to extra innings due to an awful strike three call by the home plate umpire.
The series finale between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox turned out to be an epic contest between the two heated rivals. But then, unfortunately, some spotty umpiring from behind home plate tarnished what was a great game.
New York tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning on an RBI double by Gleyber Torres, which allowed outfielder Aaron Judge to score. With two outs on the board and with runners on first and third, Rougned Odor had the chance to play hero for the Yankees. Red Sox closer Matt Barnes threw his seventh pitch to Odor, which fell way outside of the strike zone. Yet, home plate umpire Gabe Morales called it strike three, allowing the game to go to extra innings.
Yankees jobbed by awful strike three call on Rougned Odor by home plate umpire
I mean, how on Earth was that a strike in Morales’ mind? In case you needed more visual proof, take a look at the following tweet from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. It only makes the call that much worse.
In any instance, the manager usually heads out to argue the decision. Instead, Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin rushed out of the dugout to get his moneys worth, and he was ultimately ejected from the game.
Things did not get better in the 10th inning, as the umpires had a questionable ball four call on Bobby Dalbec. The dugout was incensed and bench coach Carlos Mendoza was thrown from the contest as well.
To make matters worse for the Yankees, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts broke the tie with a two-RBI single in the top of the tenth inning. Although Odor did knock in a run in the bottom of the frame, it was not enough, as the Red Sox won 6-5 to secure the sweep.
Umpiring has been an issue across MLB quite frequently this season, and the end of Sunday’s Yankees-Red Sox game showed that it is only getting worse.