Batters will often turn and walk to first base to try to sell a potential Ball 4 call, but on Saturday in the World Series, Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber thought he had struck out, only to find out he still had life.
Schwarber watched as a fastball from Astros starter Framber Valdez dipped into the strike zone, and the Philly leadoff hitter was sure the pitch had marked the end of his at-bat. Instead, home plate umpire Lance Barksdale called it a ball, putting the count at 2-2.
Schwarber wound up walking in the plate appearance but was erased on the next pitch as Rhys Hoskins hit into a double play.
Kyle Schwarber began walking toward the dugout after this 1-2 pitch thinking it was strike three.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 6, 2022
He would go on to walk. pic.twitter.com/t8PpthElvj
MORE: Follow live updates and highlights from Game 6 of the World Series
How bad was the call? Well, it was the blue dot fully inside this strike zone, according to Baseball Savant.
Perhaps the call was redemption. Just before it, third base umpire Dan Iassogna made a questionable call on a check swing appeal, saying Schwarber went around.
His next time up, Schwarber did strike out looking, and the pitch was called correctly.
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Pat Hoberg, the second base umpire for Game 6, made headlines when he called a perfect game in Game 2 of the World Series. Needless to say, Barksdale will not be finishing with one of those Saturday.
Pat Hoberg at second base: pic.twitter.com/dQVIFwkESu
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) November 6, 2022
