In a game that could have major implications on the National League West race, fans -- well, Diamondbacks fans, anyway -- would probably like to see the home-plate umpire be a little more reliable than this.
Tom Hallion, the umpire behind the plate for Wednesday night's Diamondbacks-Dodgers game, wasn't exactly consistent in his calls of balls and strikes -- and the D-backs let him know about it.
Hallion called D-backs second baseman Brandon Drury and catcher Jeff Mathis out on questionable strike threes in the seventh inning with the Dodgers leading 1-0, leading to conversations between Hallion and Drury, and eventually D-backs manager Torey Lovullo.
Hallion was back at it with two outs in the ninth inning and the D-backs still trailing 1-0. The D-backs had the tying run on first base and outfielder Chris Herrmann at the plate -- and on a 1-0 pitch, Hallion called a strike on a pitch that was clearly outside. Instead of a 2-0 count, the count was evened at 1-1, and Herrmann would go on to strike out on five pitches. The Dodgers won 1-0 and extended their lead in the NL West to 4.5 games.
Hmmm... pic.twitter.com/KGKmz2hk7d
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) July 6, 2017
The skipper has some questions too... pic.twitter.com/fP9IFwX1lZ
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) July 6, 2017
God Bless MLB umpires. pic.twitter.com/pE0HyPqpa5
— Alex Williams (@AlexHWilliams) July 6, 2017
Here's a look at what Hallion's decision-making for the entire evening, which could be used as Exhibit A for those calling for an automated strike zone.
This was Tom Hallion's strike zone tonight.
It's brought to you by the letters W, T and F. pic.twitter.com/vD0VYtvs17
— AZ SnakePit (@AZSnakepit) July 6, 2017
