The umpires in Monday's Mets-Phillies game blew a call and lost track of the count during the same at-bat. The Phils took full advantage of the blown call.
Leading off against Mets ace Jacob deGrom, Phils second baseman Cesar Hernandez hit a 1-1 pitch (remember that count) weakly down the first base line. DeGrom fielded it and beat Hernandez to the bag for what seemed to be the first out of the bottom of the first inning.
MORE: The 15 worst starting pitchers of the 21st century | Chase Utley thanks Phillies fans
One problem: Home plate umpire Tom Hallion called the nubber a foul ball, ruling the ball hit Hernandez's foot in the batter's box. One other problem: Replays showed the ball got nowhere near Hernandez's foot.
Mets manager Terry Collins asked Hallion for a clarification, but the foul ball was not subject to video review.
Hernandez's at-bat resumed with a 1-2 count, except Hallion somehow forgot about Ball 1. Hernandez stayed in the box after what should have been Ball 4. DeGrom threw another ball (Ball 5, as Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen called it), and Hernandez was on base.
Phils shortstop Freddy Galvis, the next batter, followed with a single. After deGrom retired Odubel Herrera, Ryan Howard launched a three-run home run.
The Mets got one of those runs back in the top of the second when Mets third baseman David Wright, in his first game back from the disabled list, hit a 428-foot home run to left field off Phillies starter Adam Morgan.
UPDATE: DeGrom lasted just 2 2/3 innings. He allowed seven runs (six earned), eight hits and three walks. He struck out three.
UPDATE 2: The Mets had deGrom's back and made all of the above moot. New York's hitters set a franchise record with eight home runs, the bullpen held the Phils scoreless, and the NL East leaders pounded out a 16-7 victory.
