Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler learned a harsh lesson Tuesday night against the Braves—some of the umpires working in Major League Baseball are not very good at their jobs.
Well, chances are Wheeler already knew that because he’s likely seen it firsthand many times before, but what happened in one Braves at-bat against the right-hander was pretty laughable, and it led to fans’ ripping the ump.
Wheeler threw three consecutive strikes to Braves third baseman Austin Riley during the first inning in Philadelphia. The only problem? Home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso called each of them a ball.
Check out this at-bat, which ended with Riley “earning” a walk:
Zack Wheeler "Walk" pic.twitter.com/W55XzdeZQm
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 12, 2023
Here’s a closer look at where those pitches hit the zone:
That’s pretty bad!
Moscoso was actually pretty bad all night:
Both ways... pic.twitter.com/AYw4EoSRsc
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 13, 2023
MLB fans were not impressed:
MLB has got to do something about these umps.. they need to be penalized for inaccuracy https://t.co/hhqsypxZD7
— Arlis Martinez (@ArlisMJ1) September 13, 2023
This was so frustrating to watch https://t.co/WVLggQ3Nab
— Bell (@YNWABell) September 13, 2023
Can’t wait for robot umps this is ridiculous https://t.co/v455LTHO0U
— Rob (@rob_j95) September 13, 2023
I think the MLB should introduce a VAR system. This is daylight robbery because boomers love the unspoken rules https://t.co/o3g0HQyyTl
— Sean (@seankolo99) September 13, 2023
This is incredible. https://t.co/i14rVvxxLg
— Trip Somers (@one_pitch_man) September 13, 2023
Three in a row is crazy https://t.co/Y7DA4Umysp
— BowTiedZ | College Athlete (@bowtiedz) September 13, 2023
Have a day blue https://t.co/XxyYUQVsI4
— Reed Embiid (@Reed_Embiid) September 13, 2023
infuriating 🤬 https://t.co/vTr6FGbOsF
— Emilee Grace (@emileegraceee) September 13, 2023
I can say the catcher is messing up the zone but this is absolutely ridiculous this was maybe 1 ball the entire AB https://t.co/iT3REpULaA
— JAW (@JarryAkeem) September 13, 2023
