BOSTON (WHDH) — The home plate umpire in Monday night’s Red Sox-Rays game made a controversial call that may have cost the Sox the game, and first place in the AL East.
The two teams battled it out in a rain-put make-up game at Fenway Park. It was a crucial game between the two teams who are fighting for first in the AL East.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said the call was terrible and the growing rivalry between these two teams spilled over to social media.
Pinch-runner Daniel Nava called out at home — he would have been the tying run in the 8th inning. Nava, though, was clearly safe.
After tossing Farrell, and watching the Sox strand two runners in the 9th — home plate umpire Jerry Meals admitted he blew the call.
“…I was wrong on my decision. From the angle I had, I did not see his foot get under Molina’s shin guard,” said Meals.
Former Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield said the ump wasn't even close.
“Jerry Meals is in wrong position to make this call, he starts off behind home plate, he can't see, and he makes a terrible call,” said Wakefield.
The Rays haven't needed much help from the umps — Tampa Bay has been nearly unbeatable since late June — winning 22 of 26. So there's room for a little gloating. Minutes after the game ended and the rays jumped the sox in the standings, the rays posted this message on Twitter: “Dear Red Sox scoreboard operator, your standings are wrong. Yours truly, Rays baseball."
That was true for the time being, with 50-plus games left to play.
The Red Sox fired back moments later with a tweet that hits home — a reference to the fact that Tropicana Field in Tampa gets more Red Sox fans than Rays fans: "Don't worry Rays, We look forward to seeing you in Tampa in September for our home games at the Trop."
On Tuesday, Farrell said he was glad the umpire admitted to his mistake.
“Appreciate him stating what transpired afterwards. It’s the human element inside the game,” said Farrell.
Farrell said errors like Monday night’s lead to more conversations about replays.
“The advances in technology and how it’s come into the game, there’s no reason to think that it can’t be used to a greater extent without prolonging the time of a game. Particularly on plays that are not continuing plays — that’s a definitive play, either out or safe,” said Farrell.
The Sox are 10-6 against the Rays this season.