Tensions ran high as the Cleveland Guardians took on the Tampa Bay Rays in a high-stakes series. A win would give Cleveland a series victory over the Rays as they look for a late-season push for the AL Central and Tampa Bay is hunting a division crown of their own.
Every pitch is important which is why Kevin Cash got upset when a pitch clock violation went against his team that probably shouldn't have.
Home plate umpire, CB Bucknor, called a violation on Zack Littell which is something that we've seen from time to time this season with new rules. There was definitely a violation on this play. However, it probably shouldn't have been called on the pitcher.
Littell did not throw a pitch until after the pitch clock expired, but it wasn't his fault. Andres Gimenez was up to bat and, by rule, he should be ready and engaged at the eight-second mark on the timer. He clearly was not prepared for the play when he should've been which through the Rays pitcher out of his rhythm.
The clock hit zero with no pitch being thrown and Littell was called for the violation instead of Gimenez.
Cash was clearly upset about this and let the umpire know it which resulted in him being ejected from the game. To be fair, there were a number of questionable calls that went against the Rays throughout the night and it would not be surprising if there was also brought up too.
The pitch clock has been an overall success for Major League Baseball. Fans and players were skeptical of how effective it would be before the season started, but everyone has gotten used to it. Last weekend was the first time all season there were zero violations called across a slate of 15 games.
Unfortunately, there are still some quirks that need to be worked out which can be seen here. Thankfully the advantage went to the Guardians and not against them even though the call was wrong.
More must-reads: