The Cubs beat the Brewers in a wild game on Tuesday, and they did so with manager David Ross and first base coach Mike Napoli watching the final outs from the clubhouse after they were both ejected following an embarrassing mistake by the home plate umpire.
In case you missed it, Erich Bacchus, who had a brutal day calling balls and strikes, rang up Dansby Swanson on a called third strike in the top of the 11th inning. The only problem? It was just strike two on Swanson.
Napoli was ejected moments after that for having words with the first base umpire and then Ross came out and got tossed by Bacchus. Ross then completely tore the umps apart in a brutally honest postgame interview.
Here’s how it all played out in the 11th inning:
That's just some embarrassing stuff by Bacchus. How do you forget the count when you’re the home plate umpire in a Major League Baseball game?
Inexcusable.
You know what else was bad? Bacchus’s overall performance in the game. Here’s his report card from Umpire Scorecards:
Those called strikes weren’t even close.
He even screwed up this play:
This was ruled a double.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) July 4, 2023
David Ross had a long conversation afterward with home plate umpire Erich Bacchus, seemingly on the path William Contreras took to first base. pic.twitter.com/ohwSqTCPtR
MLB fans rightfully crushed him for that failed strikeout call:
Bacchus is known for having a terrible zone since his call up. He's also had a horrid relationship with the Cubs and Ross.
— Isaiah Walker (@walkeri141) July 4, 2023
His zone has been bad tonight, now he "rings up" a batter on strike 2 which screams "I am not paying attention"
That ejection was coming. Zero game control
The @mlb needs to get Erich Bacchus OUT of the league. He’s is absolutely awful. Imagine ringing a guy up on his 2nd strike & being so thin skinned you toss 2 coaches when they complain.
— Carmen Cook (@Carmen_Cook) July 4, 2023
Umpires like that ruin the integrity and popularity of the game.
FIX IT @MLB
Lol home plate umpire just struck out Swanson . Update - it was only strike 2 . Both teams barking all day . Major League Baseball you have a major pandemic going on . Get the clowns out
— MikelBreeden (@Mikel_Breeden24) July 4, 2023
#MLBTwitter, we have found the next Angel Hernandez, aka the worst umpire in MLB. His name is Erich Bacchus. Botches an obvious base-running interference call that cost the Cubs a run. Calls strike 3 on Dansby Swanson when it was only strike 2. Send this guy down to AAA.
— Brett Malak (@brettonsports) July 4, 2023
How do you call Swanson out on strikes with a 2-1 count WTF
— Quinny (@dqsoftserve) July 4, 2023
