In what has seemingly become a daily occurrence at Citizens Bank Park this week, there was yet another controversial call at first base in Thursday night’s game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies.
Phillies third baseman Weston Wilson grounded to the shortstop in the second inning, and the Nationals recorded the force out at second base before throwing to first to try and complete the double play. The throw to first was high and pulled Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith off the base, and Wilson beat it out to avoid the double play.
However, first base umpire Jordan Baker called Wilson out. The Phillies immediately challenged and had the play overturned.
The runner beat the throw and the first baseman was well off the base when he caught it.
Umpire Jordan Baker called him out. pic.twitter.com/vcvJd2Rlxn
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 11, 2023
The Phillies broadcast crew roasted Baker, who was one of the umpires selected for the 2022 World Series, after the replay review, saying they “would have loved for Baker to get on the PA and say ‘my bad, I missed that one'” and going on to discuss how nobody on the Nationals defense left the field, so even they knew the call was blown.
It’s been a bizarrely umpired series between these two teams, as first base umpire Lew Williams had three calls overturned via replay review at first base (two of which were on back-to-back pitches) in Tuesday’s series opener.
Part 2: Trevor Williams throws over to first base. Williams again rules Castellanos out. The Phillies again challenge.
Not quite as bad as the previous play. But this, too, was overturned.
Unsurprisingly, the Philadelphia fans were not happy with the umpire. pic.twitter.com/n4wE4VsbHp
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 8, 2023
And home plate umpire Brennan Miller had what many Nationals fans felt was a generous strike zone Wednesday evening as Phillies pitcher Michael Lorenzen pitched a no-hitter.
Fans had plenty to say about Baker’s blown call.
How in the world did the first base umpire call him out?!?
Nationals-Phillies🤦♂️
— Paul Roberts (@PaulRobertsCuse) August 10, 2023
Every ump as soon as they step into the bank @Phillies pic.twitter.com/8ixZZ99Nvh
— Josh (@just__joshinya) August 10, 2023
https://twitter.com/Chillin_ski/status/1689778524658233344
https://twitter.com/VinIsAwful/status/1689778417921589249
