Mets-Phillies umpires eviscerated for controversial challenge call, strike zone: Horrendous

It was the ump show early in Game 1 of the NLDS between the Mets and Phillies.With the Phillies’ Trea Turner on first base after a walk in the first inning, Mets reliever David Peterson attempted to pick him off, and on a bang-bang play, the Philadelphia shortstop was ruled safe.

The Mets, however, challenged the call, and a freeze-frame replay on the Fox broadcast appeared to show first baseman Pete Alonso got the tag down before Turner snuck his hand back to the bag — which would have given the Amazin’s the third out of the inning.But after a replay review, the call was upheld and Turner was deemed safe.Peterson then walked slugger Bryce Harper before getting Nick Castellanos to fly out to end the frame, escaping damage but having to throw more pitches.Home plate umpire Andy Fletcher had a few close calls behind the plate through the mix of shadows and sunlight with the 4:08 p.m.

ET first pitch.One that loomed large came in the top of the fourth and the Mets with two runners on base came on a 2-0 pitch that appeared inside but was called a strike on Jose Iglesias.

The Mets infielder, instead of being close to a walk, eventually fell into a 2-2 count and grounded out into an inning-ending double play.It ended the Mets’ biggest threat against an otherwise dominant performance by Phillies starter Zack Wheeler.Fans watching the game were not pleased, to say the least.“That’s a horrendous strike call against Iglesias, jesus,” CBS Sports employee Nick Stellini on X.“Literally how was that humanly a strike to Iglesias on the third pitch lmao,” wrote another user.“Good for the booth calling out Andy Fletcher for this awful call & for talking about the repercussions of his mistake BRUTAL,” wrote Dalton Feely, who works for Jomboy Media.PitchingNinja, a notable account for pitching highlights, even questioned the strike call.

“What’s up with this call?” he wrote....