Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli did not mince words with the umpires here after a crucial review at the plate ended up becoming the winning run for the Toronto Blue Jays.
On Sunday, with the score between the Twins and Blue Jays tied 2-2 in the top of the 10th inning, Whit Merrifield attempted to go home on a tag from third off a shallow fly ball to left field. Merrifield was called out after a tag from Gary Sanchez caught him at home plate in the hip, initially ending the half inning for the visitors.
That was until the play went under review, in which the call was then reversed, as the umpires deemed Sanchez in violation of blocking the plate, allowing the run to stand as the Blue Jays took a 3-2 lead. Here’s how the initial play went down at home plate.
Whit Merrifield was called SAFE AFTER REVIEW after this play at the plate.
Right call, or was Gary Sanchez allowed to be there? pic.twitter.com/3InoGBxDT3
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) August 7, 2022
After the call was overturned, to the displeasure of the Minnesota home crowd, Baldelli absolutely went off on the umpires for the controversial call that eventually became the game-winner for the Blue Jays.
Gary Sánchez was called for blocking the plate after review and Rocco Baldelli was LIVID
This would hold up as the winning run pic.twitter.com/jeHoVuBkcT
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 7, 2022
And Baldelli’s vexations didn’t just extend to the field either, as he continued his tirade in his postgame press conference, calling the whole affair “beyond embarrassing” and “pathetic”.
Rocco Baldelli not holding back: "It's one of the worst moments I think we've seen of umpiring, in any game I've ever been a part of in baseball. I think it was pathetic." #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/mSX3q1kLrp
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) August 7, 2022
While I get where Baldelli’s coming from here, Sanchez had the ball in his possession when his leg kicked out and blocked Merrifield from the plate, putting him in violation of the controversial ruling. Them’s the breaks sometimes in sports!
