Making a call so bad that everyone in the building knows it was wrong is not uncommon in Major League Baseball.
But if you blow two consecutive calls — that’s tougher to watch.
Fill-in umpire Lew Williams, who was called up from Triple-A to umpire the first game of the Phillies-Nationals doubleheader Tuesday, probably did not make the impression he desired after two immediate mistakes.
Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos slapped a grounder in the bottom of the third inning toward Nationals third baseman Ildemaro Vargas, who made an impressive throw from his knees that Castellanos still comfortably beat.
Williams, however, disagreed, calling Castellanos out as Phillies fans began to boo.
“How?” Phillies broadcaster John Kruk asked. “I feel like we’re wasting our time on this, this is just a great play, but it’s not even close.”
Soon enough, Williams’ call was overturned and Castellanos was ruled safe.
But the umpire wasn’t done — just moments later, he called Castellanos out again on a pickoff move from Washington pitcher Trevor Williams.
The umpire’s call was incorrect again, overturned by video review and leaving Castellanos safe.
The consecutive mistakes in the third inning were two of the three calls Williams had overturned Tuesday, as he initially called Vargas out on a play in the second inning only for the Nationals to challenge and overturn the play, allowing Vargas to reach.
The two NL East teams split the doubleheader, with the Phillies winning the first game, 8-4, and the Nationals taking the nightcap, 5-4.
The teams meet Wednesday night in the third game of the four-game set.
Philadelphia, after a slow start to the season, now has a solid grip on one of the National League wild card spots, sitting three games ahead of the Cubs and Reds.
The Giants and Phillies are tied for the first wild card spot with matching 62-52 records.
Philadelphia’s star $300 million shortstop, Trea Turner, has posted .829 OPS over the past week after slumping all season.
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