The Mets appeared to get some serious strike zone help during their win over the Angels on Wednesday in Queens.
Down three runs in the top of the eighth inning, the Angels’ Luis Rengifo came to the plate with two on, two outs and a chance to tie the game against Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
But home plate umpire Erich Bacchus essentially took the bat out of his hands.
On the first pitch of the at-bat, Diaz spun an 87 mph slider that appeared to miss by an inch or two outside.
Bacchus instead called it a strike, putting Rengifo behind and ticking off Angels color analyst Mark Gubicza.
“Aw, that is so far off the plate,” Gubicza said.
After three straight balls, Rengifo thought he had a walk to load the bases and bring the lead run to the plate.
Not so fast, Bacchus said.
A second pitch well off the plate was called a strike, bringing the count full.
“That’s not even close,” Gubicza said this time.
Bacchus wasn’t done with his questionable strike calls.
On the next pitch, Bacchus called Rengifo out on a pitch in basically the exact same spot as the first two blown calls, ending the Angels’ threat.
“That’s ball… Oh, he called that a strike?! That’s ridiculous!” Angels play-by-play announcer Wayne Randazzo said.
Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery came out to argue with Bacchus after the at-bat and was ejected after a heated back-and-forth.
A half-inning later, Angels offensive coordinator Tim Laker was ejected for barking at Bacchus.
The Mets hung on for the 6-3 win, completing a three-game sweep of the Angels.