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The Houston Astros are in the thick of a playoff hunt. Every game matters, every run matters as the Astros as they fight for the American League Wild Card.
So you can imagine the frustration when home umpire Jim Joyce basically gifted the Cleveland Indians two runs in the third inning of Thursday's game.
Lonnie Chisenhall was at bat for the Indians with the bases loaded. David Paulino was the mound and bounced a breaking ball. Chisenhall checked his swing and the ball clearly struck his bat. Joyce showed no reaction and didn't call the ball dead. Two runners raced home while Astros catcher Jason Castro argued with Joyce.
A.J. Hinch quickly jumped out of the dugout to argue the obvious that the ball had hit the bat and was ejected for it. The play was reviewed for rules check. But the review couldn't over the call within the framework of video replay — I don't know, I'm just lost as everyone.
Here is the clip:
This was ruled a wild pitch / passed ball that scored 2 runs. Well... alright. #wat pic.twitter.com/NJFWg9cIiV
— Kyle @ Driveline (@drivelinebases) September 8, 2016
Oh, Jim. You're always good for an ump show. Let us never forget what you did to former Astros pitcher, Armando Galarraga.