On Wednesday, during the Detroit Tigers match up against the Cleveland Indians, tempers flared following some questionable ball/strike calls by home plate umpire Quinn Walcott. Particularly calls that went against the Tigers.
Catcher James McCann was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after Indians right fielder Jay Bruce walked on a 3-2 pitch and moments later, manager Brad Ausmus was also tossed while on his way to the mound.
James McCann just got ejected after Jay Bruce drew walk on 3-2 pitch. Brad Ausmus just joined him.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) September 13, 2017
John Hicks took over for McCann as the Tigers catcher and that is when things really started to get a bit sketchy. Watch the video below and decide whether or not you believe that Hicks purposely let a pitch go by, drilling Walcott in the chest and sending him to the ground.
Watch the video below and decide whether or not you believe that Hicks purposely let a pitch go by, drilling Walcott in the chest and sending him to the ground. Or did he just get crossed up on the pitch? You make the call.
After a couple ejections 🤔 pic.twitter.com/7Wg7DY5uAt
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) September 13, 2017
You could read HP ump Walcott's lips as he was getting treated after getting plunked: "Think they did that on purpose?"
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) September 13, 2017
Personally, I have a hard time believing this was an intentional act by John Hicks and the Detroit Tigers. But, crazier things have happened in sports!
Heading into the game, the Tigers were 60-84 and 28.5 games behind the Indians for first place in the American League Central. The Indians, on the other hand, had won 20 consecutive games and were looking for their American League record 21st consecutive win. With the streak, the Indians (89-56) have surpassed the Houston Astros (87-57) for the best record in the entire American League. The best record in baseball still belongs to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who despite going cold of late, still sit at 93-52.
