Manny Machado was at the center of a controversy on Tuesday after a disputed strikeout call by home plate umpire Nick Lentz.
The incident occurred during the top of the sixth inning in the San Diego Padres' game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
What happened?
Machado checked his swing on a borderline pitch and assumed he drew a walk, but Lentz ruled that he struck out, ending the scoring threat.
The Padres star was infuriated by the call and slammed his helmet to the turf, prompting Lentz to issue an unsportsmanlike equipment violation against him.
Why it matters for Manny Machado
The disciplinary penalty sparked public outcry, with many fans disagreeing with Lentz's decision and highlighting Machado's controversial past incidents.
Machado believes that the call changed the momentum of the game, ultimately costing the Padres the win.
The game ended with a score of 3-2 in favor of the Cardinals.
What comes next?
The incident will likely have financial implications for Machado, as MLB processes unsportsmanlike equipment violations as a direct financial sanction, with fines ranging from $1000 to $5000.
Machado and the Padres will look to bounce back in the series finale on Wednesday.
The Cardinals will be seeking to complete a series sweep at home, having won Game 1 on Monday with a score of 3-0.
Machado's reaction to the call has sparked a debate about the need for appeals of such violations, particularly when prompted by controversial calls like this one.
Fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the incident, with some comparing Lentz to retired controversial umpire Angel Hernandez.
The incident has also raised questions about the consistency of umpiring in the MLB, with some fans recalling Lentz's past mistakes, including a missed call in a game between the Os and Tor two weeks ago.
Machado's comments post-game, as reported by the San-Diego Tribune, emphasized the significance of the call in the game's outcome.
The Padres' loss on Tuesday has significant implications for their standings, and Machado's actions will likely be scrutinized in the coming days.
The MLB community will be watching to see how the league handles the situation and whether any further action will be taken against Machado or Lentz.
The series finale on Wednesday promises to be an exciting matchup, with the Padres seeking to avoid a series sweep and the Cardinals looking to build on their momentum.
Machado's performance will be closely watched, as he looks to put the controversy behind him and lead his team to a win.
The game is set to be a thrilling conclusion to the series, with both teams looking to come out on top.