Major League umpires are almost never perfect. But when the game is on the line, you never want to see a missed call.
That’s what made Saturday’s 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals so disappointing for the Dodgers.
After going down three runs in the eighth inning, the Dodgers chipped away at the lead to have Mookie Betts at the plate with two outs in the ninth and a runner on second down a run. Betts worked the count full against Giovanny Gallegos. And with Freddie Freeman on deck, the Dodgers had to like the possible lefty-righty matchup to tie or take the lead.
Now, hitters are often told to swing if it’s close, but Betts was right to take a 3-2 pitch off the plate. The problem: Paul Emmel saw it differently.
The Cardinals lead the Dodgers 6-5 in the 9th inning…
Full count, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, Mookie Betts up. #UmpShow time. ⚾️👮♂️🤖 pic.twitter.com/o7claVR2VA
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 21, 2023
The pitch was a few inches off the plate, but the excellent frame from Willson Contreras — who is now allowed to play catcher again — made the difference.
Still, you’d expect Emmel to make the correct call there, especially since Emmel was having a solid night. Betts and the Dodgers dugout couldn’t believe *that* was how the game ended.
Fans had plenty of thoughts on the call too.
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This was how Twitter reacted
ROBOTS NOW https://t.co/B2VU7DpnCE
— NY Mets France ⚾️ (@NYMetsFrance) May 21, 2023
Frame job top notch https://t.co/VZntPLmuGy
— Anthony (@merrrrkem_) May 21, 2023
To one of the best hitters in the game right now. Like he doesn’t know his own strike zone….the clock is ticking on human umpires and I love to see it https://t.co/lvAjebjPGF
— Alec Temme (@tembo_slice) May 21, 2023
Way too close to take https://t.co/D2MUEwdQQi
— King Nolan (@nolan_szn) May 21, 2023
Bring out the 🤖 https://t.co/WeFFMJmqsy
— Peter Hutzal (@hutzy98) May 21, 2023
MLB umps and NBA refs are the finalists for the Ultimate Clown Show https://t.co/FUDux4RLE2
— Jazz Chishomie (@JChishomie) May 21, 2023
Robot umps are a necessity example 12683639 https://t.co/RI0PPMwH6a
— Dave (@TheDaveRainey) May 21, 2023
Love when players get punished for having a good eye https://t.co/UXHREBxEko
— JD 🇦🇲 (@cookedblocked) May 21, 2023
There has to be accountability for this for umpires. Inexcusable. https://t.co/tMnYbgf4pM
— Jordan Teller (@jbteller) May 21, 2023
Even the best games from umpires can have costly missed calls. MLB has to know this is a problem.
