MLB’s opening month has had no shortage of questionable calls (Aaron Boone went apoplectic after a blown call cost the Yankees a run in their loss to Baltimore earlier this week), but this head-scratcher courtesy of first-base ump Marty Foster in Wednesday’s Marlins/Brewers matinee might take the cake.
To set the scene, Brewers pitcher Zack Godley (in his Milwaukee debut) scooped Isan Diaz’s slow roller to the mound and promptly flipped it to first for what should have been the inning’s second out. Despite the throw beating him by several steps, Diaz was inexplicably called safe by Foster, who claimed Godley was guilty of obstructing the runner’s path to first base.
That couldn’t be further from the truth—if anything, Diaz, who was running on the infield grass, should have been the one cited for obstructing Godley. Instead, Godley (who later left with a right finger injury) was charged with an error on the play as the visiting Marlins tacked on two runs in the top half of the second inning. Brewers first-base coach Pat Murphy was rightfully incensed, giving Foster an earful before getting tossed.
Instant replay surely would have exonerated Godley, though umpires determined the play was not reviewable. Twitter predictably lost its mind over this series of events, shredding Foster for his phantom obstruction ruling at first.
The Marlins would ultimately win by a final count of 6-2, claiming two of three at Miller Park. It’s not immediately clear if the Brewers will protest Wednesday’s game, though, at the very least, Foster should be reprimanded by the league for one of the worst calls in recent memory.
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