We're not even one game into the 2023 season and we already have umpire controversy on our hands. It came in the eighth inning as the Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners were locked into a pitchers duel where neither team could get a run across.
The whole at-bat was abnormal with the new rules this season.
James Karinchak started off the AB with an 0-2 count to J.P. Crawford. Then a pitch clock violation was called and the next pitch was thrown straight to the backstop which even the count at 2-2. Another ball from Karinchak and the count was full.
Crawford appeared to check swing the next pitch, but the third base umpire called him safe as if he didn't swing. Upon replay, the ball clearly was foul-tipped as it changed direction into the glove of catcher Mike Zunino
Here's the play:
Terry Francona came out to talk to the home plate ump, but there was, unfortunately, nothing that could be done because it was not a reviewable play. Hamilton was at first as the Mariners had their leadoff man aboard.
Karinchak then plunked Kolten Wong to put another runner on. The next man up was Ty France who hit an opposite-field home run to give the Mariners a 3-0 lead late in the game.
The missed call can't be an excuse for the entire inning. Karinchak didn't have any control even during the Hamilton at-bat. The pitch clock was affecting Karinchal along with the Seattle getting into the game.
However, if that pitch was called a foul it would have at least given Karinchak another opportunity to get Hamilton out.
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