Royals came within an eyelash of winning Wednesday but the umpire called ball 4
You’ve heard athletes and coaches in all sports say outcomes are so close that it’s a game of inches, but the Royals might have lost Wednesday by an increment even smaller than that.
The Royals lost 8-6 to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Kauffman Stadium, but fans thought for a split second that KC had secured a 4-3 victory.
In the top of the ninth inning, Arizona had a runner on first with one out. Geraldo Perdomo worked the count against Royals closer James McArthur to 3-2. The runner on first took off as McArthur fired the pivotal pitch that looked like strike three.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez threw a frozen rope that appeared to be in time to get the runner, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Instead of a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play to end the game, Perdomo drew a walk.
Take a look.
Umpire Brian O'Nora called ball 4 on what should've been a strike 'em out throw 'em out to end the game.
Instead, the Diamondbacks went on to score 5 runs and win by 2.
O'Nora is ranked 86th of 88 umpires this season.#Royals #Diamondbacks pic.twitter.com/AKAoBpJyPq— Umpire Auditor (@UmpireAuditor) July 25, 2024
Hmmm pic.twitter.com/uopWo3cLYU
— Royals Review (@royalsreview) July 25, 2024
Things fell apart for McArthur after that as he yielded a double, a single and a three-run home run.
Royals fans were not happy, but ... WHB (810 AM) broadcaster Jack Johnson noted the exit velocity of balls put in play by Arizona in the ninth inning were suboptimal for any pitcher.
Bad call or not, James McArthur gave up exit velos of 102, 99.5, 94, 102.6, 99.1 and 108.9. #Royals
— Jack Johnson (@JohnyJ_15) July 25, 2024
Nevertheless, fans were displeased with the umpire who called ball four. Here is what some of them were saying.
The Royals had a strike ‘em out and throw ‘em out for the win the game. That’s on the home plate umpire. Royals had the game won.
— Jon Hall (@TheRealJonHall_) July 25, 2024
Trash call
— Dale Schaeffer (@dale_schaeffer) July 25, 2024
i mean thats clear as day
ridiculous— clint (@ClintJWest) July 25, 2024
That was a Strike this home plate umpire is God Awful ♂️
— Christopher Hall (@jrotcgeek1) July 25, 2024
No accountability
— bobertwitt (@KCKeough) July 25, 2024
Royals got screwed. That was a strikeout throw out double in the ninth that the umpire missed the call on. Shame
— Terry (@Tadrog) July 25, 2024
Other fans were saying the Royals should replace McArthur as the team’s closer. This is a bit of that chatter.
McArthurs time at closer should be over.
— Micah Bronson (@brunnyman) July 25, 2024
Two things that can both be true.
1. The blown call cost the #Royals the game.
2. McArthur isn’t the Royals’ best option for the ninth.— Royals Weekly (@RoyalsWeekly) July 25, 2024
I’d really like someone to ask why they have a guy leading off that’s hitting .196, and a closer with an ERA of 5. Not exactly a formula for success.
— DDuff (@dduff13) July 25, 2024
McArthur with a complete meltdown in the 9th inning kills my best bet. Please, please, please, get some bullpen help #Royals
— Brooks (@ABrooksBets) July 25, 2024
The big thing this team needs is a closer. McArthur isn’t one, and hasn’t been all year.
— Joe Munding (@crownroyal64) July 25, 2024