NEWSLETTER
How do I even write that up. Wow. Oh my god. I am giddy. That was absolutely incredible. Let me just explain what happened (more than usual), because even I am in utter disbelief.
Hector Neris came in to close out a 1-0 game for the Cubs tonight at Citi Field. After getting the first out of the game, he plunked Pete Alonso, who then moved to third on J.D. Martinez’s double (which popped out of PCA’s glove (but it would’ve been an incredible catch … not a gimmie by any means)).
Then, on the fifth pitch of the next at-bat, Jeff McNeil lifted one out to left field. And it looked, to me, like he had WAY more than enough distance to score the game-tying run on a sac fly. But Ian Happ got under it, fired it in to Nick Madrigal, who threw Alonso out at home for the final out of the game. Cubs win….Or did they?
Immediately after that call, the Mets challenged TWO aspects of the play.
- First, they were checking if Miguel Amaya blocked the base (something the league is being PARTICULARLY strict about this year).
- Second, if he was actually out.
On first glance, it actually looked like Alonso was safe, because his hand got in (over the base) before he was tagged. But in reality, his hand bounced up and was hovering over the bag.
But the drama was only just beginning. Perhaps because it was a potential game-ender, perhaps because it was two calls at once, or perhaps a combination of both, that review took FOREVER. Like truly, the longest replay review I have ever sat through.
Then the ump reached for his mic and everyone got quiet.
Then he didn’t say anything.
Then he reached for it again and used the most confusing language ever to say that Amaya was NOT blocking the bag, while everyone in New York and on the Mets thought that meant the call was in their favor (it was not). “Blocking is confirmed…there is no blocking.” Lol. WHO SAYS IT LIKE THAT.
And then he said the call of “out” on the field stands. Not confirmed, because it wasn’t clear, but stands. So not enough evidence to confirm it, but not enough overturn it. Thank you, home plate umpire. Thank you.
And that was it. Cubs win. I am giddy. I am in shock. That was insane.
Update: The league confirmed the non-blocking call, because the Mets were very upset (and wrong).
