Controversial call in favor of D-backs upsets Brewers manager Counsell who gets ejected
May 26, 2017, 7:42 PM | Updated: 9:29 pm
#Brewers manager Craig Counsell is no longer part of this game. pic.twitter.com/czKzxmlUUR
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) May 27, 2017
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers were in a tight game in Milwaukee when a play at home plate looked like the swinging point.
With two outs and runners on first and third in the bottom of the sixth inning, D-backs starting pitcher Zack Godley pitched to Milwaukee right fielder Domingo Santana with a 1-0 lead.
On a 1-1 pitch, Godley threw a ball in the dirt that got away from catcher Chris Iannetta. On third base, Brewers first baseman Eric Thames made a very bold play and broke for home.
With Godley covering at home, he received the ball from Iannetta and appeared to tag Thames out for the third and final out of the inning.
#Brewers challenge call that Eric Thames is out at home in the 6th; call stands, runner is out: https://t.co/cDlOpK3jtu
— MLB Replay (@MLBReplays) May 27, 2017
The play went to a review and the determining factor of the play appeared to be whether or not Godley had tagged Thames first on his left arm or left leg. Had it he missed his arm, Thames would have been safe.
The first two replays showed in the video above appear to not have Godley tagging Thames on the arm, but an overhead replay showed Godley’s glove within the range of tagging Thames’ arm.
Brewers fans cheered during certain replays, feeling it showed Thames was safe and the game would be tied.
After a replay review lasting nearly two minutes, Thames was ruled out and both he and his manager Craig Counsell were irate at the call.
Counsell, the former D-back, went out of his way to let the umpire know he disagreed and that was enough for him to be ejected from the game.