The Chicago White Sox took down the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, and the go-ahead run was scored in very controversial fashion.
It appeared that the game would be tied 6-6 going to the ninth inning, after Chicago’s Elvis Andrus was called out at the plate while trying to score on a Zach Remillard single to left field.
However, the White Sox challenged the call, and after replay review, it was ruled that Rangers catcher Jonah Heim didn’t give Andrus a clear lane to home plate. Instead of the inning being over with the game tied, the White Sox scored what would go on to serve as the game-winning run.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy was ejected after arguing the call.
It was such a stunning overturn that even the White Sox television crew for NBC Sports Chicago couldn’t believe it and questioned it.
After watching replays, NBC Sports Chicago color commentator Steve Stone said, “I have no idea why that was a violation. But, we’re really happy it was.”
Stone added, “Right here, it doesn’t look like [Heim] is in front of the plate and he gives [Andrus] the outside corner to slide to. I think it’s a great break for the Sox, however, it doesn’t look like [Heim] impeded anything.”
NBC Sports Chicago play-by-play man Jason Benetti said, “This will be talked about for a long while,” and added, “This is one of those where the catchers of the world are going to say, ‘What do we do?'”
After the game, Bochy spoke to Bally Sports Southwest and said, “For that call to be made… I’m dumbfounded. It’s absolutely one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen and it was done by replay, I just don’t get it. I don’t care how many times they’ll try to explain it- you can’t do that in that situation. It’s a shame. It’s embarrassing, really… I don’t get it. I really don’t. Again, I’m shocked.”
MLB fans have been slamming the call on social media.
Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio and CBS Sports Network tweeted, “This has been an amazing baseball season. Umpiring and replay — REPLAY — worse than ever. I begged MLB not to implement replay. It’s a failure.”
This has been an amazing baseball season.
Umpiring and replay — REPLAY — worse than ever. I begged MLB not to implement replay. It’s a failure. https://t.co/6NS6Ef8OT2
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) June 21, 2023
Dallas sports anchor Mike Leslie of WFAA tweeted, “You can read the umps lips talking to Heim. He says ‘I don’t know.’ What question he’s answering is unclear… but it’s not hard to imagine it was ‘what else am I supposed to do?’ or some variation of ‘How is that blocking the plate?’ Brutal call that drastically altered a game.”
You can read the umps lips talking to Heim. He says “I don’t know.”
What question he’s answering is unclear… but it’s not hard to imagine it was “what else am I supposed to do?” or some variation of “How is that blocking the plate?”
Brutal call that drastically altered a game https://t.co/cibdjchuSq
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) June 21, 2023
Peoria sports anchor of WMBD News tweeted, “NFL: What is a catch? NBA: What’s a charge? NHL: What’s goalie obstruction? MLB: What’s blocking the plate?”
As Benetti said, it’s a call we’re going to hear talked about for a while, and it will be interesting to see if MLB addresses the ruling.