Controversial call on A.J. Pollock costs D-backs in 10th inning against Rockies
Apr 30, 2017, 4:42 PM | Updated: 5:44 pm
It’s going to be tough for the 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks season to top a call by the umpires that is this heavily disagreed with.
Tied 0-0 against the Colorado Rockies Sunday in the bottom of the 10th inning with A.J. Pollock on first and one out, D-backs right fielder David Peralta hit a ball to the right side of the infield.
Somehow A.J. Pollock was called out here, after he was initially ruled safe. LeMahieu went well out of his way to initiate contact pic.twitter.com/pzwxxbY4XD
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) April 30, 2017
The ball didn’t look to be close to Colorado second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, but a collision occurred between LeMahieu and Pollock.
With the ball rolling towards the outfield, Pollock continued running and advanced to third.
As Rockies manager Bud Black went out to talk to the umpires, a replay for everyone watching would determine if Pollock went out of his way to interrupt a play being made on the ball. Upon further review, however, Pollock ran just about as straight as he could to second base, and not only was LeMahieu not very close to the ball, but he also appeared to initiate the contact with Pollock.
Did LeMahieu think A.J. had the ball? pic.twitter.com/01ay55yYZg
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) April 30, 2017
It was clear what had happened after one replay, and with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt coming up and Pollock on third with one out, the D-backs were in a terrific position to win the game.
Coming back from the replay and Black’s talk with the umpires, however, the umpires were shown having a conference and then shockingly ruled Pollock out for interfering with the play.
Pollock was livid, heavily protesting the call. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo came out of the dugout, but with the ruling being a judgment call, the umpires could not review the call.
Twitter was not happy with the decision.
Replay in baseball is dumb. @Dbacks get hosed on a call, but since it's a "judgment" call, no replay? What isn't a judgment call?
— Vinny Joe ________ (@Vincemarotta) April 30, 2017
Totally unbelievable. That is such a horrible call. How do you get that wrong?
— Paige Dimakos (@The_SportsPaige) April 30, 2017
One of the worst calls I've ever seen in a baseball game. #Dbacks
— Derek Montilla (@Cap_Kaveman) April 30, 2017
Horrible call. 2nd baseman was no where near the ball. How can they call that???
— Alex Ospina (@AZAL86ER) April 30, 2017
The dude reached his hand out just to create contact 😂
— Justin_Bruh (@KingJ234) April 30, 2017
I didn't know dives in baseball were even a thing! What the heck was that Pollock interference call, ump? Jeesh. #Dbacks #MLB
— Carter Nacke (@carternacke) April 30, 2017
The D-backs went on to win the game 2-0 in 13 innings off a Daniel Descalso walk-off home run.
