A controversial resumption challenge lost by the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning on Sunday night was the difference in play, as the Philadelphia Phillies came from behind in a wild 7-6 victory.
Phillies’ third baseman Alec Bohm slipped home with the eventual winning race, while Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud tried to apply the tag, moving from the third base of the plate to the base, where Bohm enters.
The referee of the plate, Lance Barrett, called Bohm for sure, although the replays showed that he may never have touched the plate at home. After a long delay for the video challenge, the decision on the ground was confirmed.
“In real time, it’s bang-bang,” Braves starter Drew Smyly said after the game. “We have five different angles in a nationally televised game and it’s clear that his foot didn’t touch the board. That he was on the chalk. For MLB not to overturn that, it’s embarrassing. Why have a replay even if you won ‘Don’t you overturn it?’
The official MLB ruling stated that the resumption official “could not definitively establish that the runner failed to touch the motherboard before the player applied the label.”
“Initially, I didn’t know if he was safe or out, but after watching the replay, it looked like his foot didn’t touch the bag, from any angle I saw,” d’Arnaud said. “I thought it was clear on the plate.”
Players from all over the league agreed, Justin Turner and Mike Trout shared their thoughts about the call on Twitter.
Absolutely brutal, saw two clear angles, never touched the board and get a call? I’m with everyone else, what’s the point of resuming? https://t.co/4F1bZAzNCX
– Justin Turner (@ redturn2) April 12, 2021
So bad …
– Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) April 12, 2021
The half started with the teams tied 6-6. After Bohm led with a double, Jean Segura hit a ground ball in the second, allowing Bohm to reach third base. Lefty Didi Gregorius then hit a shallow ball in the left field of the Savior Braves Will Smith. Braves left-footed shot from Marcell Ozuna left the field with a shot from outside the box. D’Arnaud caught the ball and then slid to the first to score Bohm as his left foot hit the plate.
Bohm was asked if he thinks he is safe after the match.
“I was called to safety,” he said. “This is all that matters.”
Phillies manager Joe Girardi added: “We felt we had a chance [to score on the fly ball]. It was a narrow one and I marked it on the skin of my thumb. It looked like his big toe had hit the corner of the plate when I saw all the angles. “
The brave man did not agree with the decision.
“It simply came to our notice then [replay] more, “said d’Arnaud.” Just slow down the game. To me, they were wrong. I’d rather not have it and start the game. “
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Brian Snitker, Drew Smyly and Travis d’Arnaud from Braves express their frustrations with a controversial home call against Phillies, and Smyly finds him embarrassing.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said he did not receive a good explanation from the referees after the call, while d’Arnaud said the New York resumption official should be the one interviewed. After the Braves lost the challenge, the small crowd at Truist Park responded by throwing garbage on the field, provoking a scuffle from the Braves Dansby Swanson short film.
“I love my city,” Swanson said. “I love my fans. They are passionate. They care. But what happened after they announced that the call is the most embarrassing part of the whole night.
“Throwing things on the field is disrespectful to the people who put in so much work to have the ground ready for us every day … It is an embarrassing representation of our city. The worst part is that I don’t think people realize we have families here. There are children sitting in the front row and you have bottles whistling. Children in danger who may not be able to protect themselves are downright embarrassing and should not repeat themselves.
The controversy overshadowed another good game of Ronald Acuna Jr. Braves’ Outfeldder. He had three shots, including a single field on a short ground ball in the first half. Later, he managed to tie the game at 6-6.
In total, Acuna had nine hits in the three-game series, the largest for him in a three-game period in his young career. But he will not receive the titles, as the resumption challenge took center stage in an early-season battle between the division’s enemies.
“They said there’s not enough evidence, but there are five different angles,” said an incredible Smyly. “It’s clear. He didn’t touch the plate.”