Rays/Rangers Ends in Controversial Strike Call
The Rays/Rangers game on Monday night ended in controversial fashion. Ben Zobrist had a full count, with two outs in the top of the 9th, and a runner on first base. A walk would put a runner in scoring position with Evan Longoria coming up in a one-run game. Instead, this was called strike three to end the game, click to watch.
UPDATED: Here’s the video of the call.
Needless to say, Rays manager Joe Maddon was not pleased about the call. He tweeted this after the game.
That can’t happen in a major league game.
— Joe Maddon (@RaysJoeMaddon) April 9, 2013
Evan Longoria was slightly more understanding.
To error is human…still doesn’t take any of the sting away. #Rays2013
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) April 9, 2013
While Jeremy Hellickson has already moved on to his birthday plans in Texas tonight it seems.
Thank you all for the birthday wishes..I appreciate every single one of them!!
— Jeremy Hellickson(@JHell58) April 9, 2013
I know you don’t argue balls and strikes, but Marty Foster, you’ve got some explaining to do. UPDATED: Foster explains himself.
HP ump Marty Foster on call to end #Rays game: “Had I had a chance to do it again I wouldn’t call that pitch a strike.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 9, 2013
Before I forget, congrats to Joe Nathan on his 300th career save! As he said after the pitch, WOW!
-Bryan Mapes (@IAmMapes)
Three Up, Three Down 
That strike call was the correct call. Too many people are focusing on where he catches the ball, not on where the ball crosses the plate, which is on the outside corner. That was a strike, watch it in slow mo or pause it when it first reaches the front of the plate, and you will see that was a strike, and one hell of a pitch.