Umpire Apologizes to Phillies Pitcher for Missed Call Against Dodgers
The Philadelphia Phillies faced a heartbreaking elimination from the MLB playoffs on a dramatic Thursday night. The Dodgers capitalized on a critical error made by reliever Orion Kerkering, which allowed them to score the game-winning run during extra innings.
Missed Call Controversy
Despite Kerkering’s mistake being a focal point, the Phillies had multiple earlier chances to secure a different outcome. Starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez revealed that an umpire acknowledged a significant missed call that contributed to their loss.
Key Details of the Umpire’s Apology
Sánchez mentioned that after the game, an umpire apologized for not calling a strike three against Dodgers player Alex Call. This occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning during a 2–2 count. Replay analysis confirmed that the pitch was indeed a close call and entered the strike zone.
- Umpire’s missed call: Strike three on Alex Call
- Count at the time: 2–2
- Inning impact: Potentially would have resulted in two outs
Initially, Sánchez was frustrated by the decision and expressed his displeasure to the umpire. This missed opportunity allowed a base runner to reach first, contributing to the Dodgers’ game-tying run.
Game Highlights and Turning Points
After the missed strike call, the Phillies decided to replace Sánchez with closer Jhoan Duran. In a pivotal moment, they chose to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani, loading the bases. Subsequently, Mookie Betts walked, resulting in the tying run scoring.
Impact of the Missed Call
If the correct call had been made, the inning would have featured two outs and no runners on base. This scenario might have allowed the Phillies to escape without further damage and position themselves closer to forcing a Game 5 in Philadelphia.
Final Outcome
As the game progressed into extra innings, the Phillies’ batting lineup struggled to find momentum. An additional defensive mistake sealed their fate, culminating in a painful end to their season.
Ultimately, this game highlighted the pivotal moments that can define playoff outcomes, demonstrating how a single call or error can change the course of a season.
