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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Andrew Joseph

A terrible missed call almost had the Phillies hitting a go-ahead HR on clear foul ball

We’re in mid-June, and Arizona Diamondbacks are the surprise leaders in the National League after Monday’s win against the Phillies. But honestly, it’s wild to think that they could have had themselves a rough loss without MLB’s replay reviews.

Before the D-backs closed out the Phillies, 9-8, it briefly seemed like Kody Clemens had put the Phillies ahead with a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth. The line drive off a sinker from Miguel Castro hugged the line and appeared to drift foul. But first base umpire Jerry Layne saw it differently. He called it a fair ball, and Clemens rounded the bases with a full home run trot.

It wasn’t until he reached the dugout that the umpires decided to convene and review the play. That’s when it became clear: The ball was foul.

Honestly, it’s shocking that Layne missed the call. I understand how the broadcast could have been fooled from the press box, but Layne theoretically had a perfect view of the ball and still called it fair.

After the emotional high of an apparent go-ahead home run, Clemens had to settle down and get back in the batter’s box. He struck out swinging on the next pitch to end the game. Just a brutal way to lose.

Still, fans had plenty of thoughts about that strange ending to the game.

This was how Twitter reacted

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