Diamondbacks-Dodgers umpire struggles with the strike zone
Jul 5, 2017, 9:32 PM | Updated: Jul 6, 2017, 1:56 pm
We’re not saying being an MLB umpire is easy.
We’re not saying anyone is perfect.
But when it’s a one-run game throughout and a seemingly inconsequential call might alter the game, well, there will be complaints. And when the strike zone is inflating as the game goes on, that’s not always welcome.
For the Arizona Diamondbacks, the odd strike zone called by noted punch-out lover Tom Hallion first became a problem in the fourth inning.
Trailing 1-0 with the lead-off man, Ketel Marte, on via a walk, Paul Goldschmidt took a strike three from Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood that was more than below the strike zone.
Goldy's eye is much better than the umpire, regularly. pic.twitter.com/OwvKT6AwYc
— Tyler Bassett (@Tyler_Bassett) July 6, 2017
Per @Diamondbacksump, only 6 percent of umpires make the same call.
That first out would be a killer because with two outs, Jake Lamb doubled to move Marte to third. Had Marte been at second, it’s possible he would have been waived home to tie the game.
The D-backs grew more agitated when Brandon Drury struck out to lead off the top of the seventh. This time, the Wood pitch appeared well outside.
Hmmm… pic.twitter.com/KGKmz2hk7d
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) July 6, 2017
Drury had words for Hallion about the strike call, and manager Torey Lovullo came out of the dugout to talk to the umpire through the entire commercial break in the middle of the inning.
“I haven’t had a chance to look at the pitches,” Lovullo told FOX Sports Arizona after the game. “I don’t know what happened. (Drury) might’ve been frustrated. We need to make sure we turn the page as quickly as possible and be ready for tomorrow.
“I just wanted to make sure that Tom knew I had spoken to Brandon and he was going to be OK going back out there. I just wanted to make sure we didn’t lose one of our best players.”
Brandon Drury was not happy about the zone in his previous AB, and apparently continued to let Tom Hallion know about it between innings.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) July 6, 2017
The skipper has some questions too… pic.twitter.com/fP9IFwX1lZ
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) July 6, 2017
Like Lovullo, people weren’t pleased with Hallion.
Home plate ump Tom Hallion makes terrible call then escalates argument by approaching hitter and yelling at him. Completely inexcusable.
— Paul Casella (@paul_casella) July 6, 2017
Is it me or does Tom Hallion look like he is going to owe a fortune to the swear jar #ARIvsLAD #tomhallion
— Michael Stanton (@stantm06) July 6, 2017
Tell me again why baseball doesn't use computer technology to call balls and strikes? Strike zone in LA has been creative the last 2 days.
— Vinny Joe ________ (@Vincemarotta) July 6, 2017
My Tom Hallion rookie is the prize in my card collection.
— Vinny Joe ________ (@Vincemarotta) July 6, 2017
Alex Wood gets good use out of Tom Hallion's strike three call
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) July 6, 2017
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