Saturday’s interleague matchup between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees had several instances of home plate umpire Andy Fletcher making some extremely egregious strike calls in key moments of the game.
Fletcher first drew criticism in the bottom of the fifth inning on a strike three call that ruined an excellent chance for the Yankees to take control of the game.
Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson came to the plate in a massive situation, with two runners in scoring position and only one out. Unfortunately for them, Giants pitcher Jake Junis was given a gift from the baseball gods. Andy Fletcher called strike three looking on Donaldson on a pitch that was certainly a bit off the plate.
"You get a no-hitter if you can get those kind of pitches right there. It's early for everybody but there's been a couple hitters who have the bat taken out of their hands with no chance of reaching that pitch." pic.twitter.com/B3MeSKWyt8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 1, 2023
New York would go on to leave both runners stranded after Gleyber Torres grounded out to end the inning.
This call received some heavy criticism from Fox commentator and former star pitcher John Smoltz.
“You get a no-hitter if you can get those kind of pitches right there,” said Smoltz. “It’s early for everybody but there’s been a couple hitters who have the bat taken out of their hands with no chance of reaching that pitch.”
This unfortunately would not be the last highly questionable call that would directly impact the game. The Giants have their own gripe on a strike three call in the top of the sixth inning.
The Giants had the bases loaded in the inning with only one out with Michael Conforto at the plate. He would be called out on strikes on a pitch that was way above the strike zone.
“Look, I’m a pitcher. I would want every pitch I could get. That just is very difficult for any hitter to do anything with.”
Andy Fletcher is having a rough time behind the plate. pic.twitter.com/50z4pcrzhi
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 1, 2023
Smoltz yet again spoke on this controversial call, saying that hitters have very little chance with these kinds of calls being made.
“To a hitter, there is really nothing you can do about it. You are trained to lay off that pitch for obvious reasons. Look, I’m a pitcher. I would want every pitch I could get. That just is very difficult for any hitter to do anything with.”
Others took notice of these horrible strike calls and blasted Fletcher for his less-than-stellar performance in Saturday’s game.
Do we need to get Andy Fletcher glasses? https://t.co/8cBRePrWzj
— Stacey with an e (@StaceGots) April 1, 2023
Andy Fletcher is doing a touching tribute to Angel Hernandez in New York. #SFvsNYY
— Tony Hughes (@TC_Hughes) April 1, 2023
Goodness gracious Andy Fletcher is terrible. That pitch was really high on that Giants hitter
— B.J. Davis (@BJ_Davis23) April 1, 2023
I mean, at least Andy Fletcher sucks for both teams 🤷♂️
— steven eggert (@stevieeggs) April 1, 2023
Guy has been bad all game. Is that consistent?
— Cliff Fazzolari (@authorfazzolari) April 1, 2023
Fletcher’s fingerprints appear to be all over this game in all the wrong ways, and both teams certainly should have some fair gripes with him.
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: Fox
