PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen may have had a point.
The Pirates’ center fielder was called out on strikes twice by umpire Chris Conroy Sunday night. The second time, the usually calm McCutchen blew a gasket, throwing down his bat and earning his first career ejection.
McCutchen has felt for most of the season that he’s been the victim of an inordinate number of borderline calls going the wrong way. At least on Sunday, that perception was true. Both of the last two pitches that were called strikes against McCutchen were below the typical strike zone.
Not only that, it wasn’t simply a case of Conroy being inconsistent with his strike zone. He only missed a few low calls all game against right-handed hitters, according to Brooks Baseball.
That fact fueled into McCutchen’s perception, with him saying that he felt “taken advantage of” after the game.
Hurdle didn’t seem too upset about his superstar’s uncharacteristic outburst.
“It was what it was,” Hurdle said. The at-bat before, he felt a low pitch was called. He walked back form the plate and had something to say. He said something after the preceding pitch was called a strike, so I’m good.
“I’m very respectful of the game and that’s definitely not the conduct that you want to exhibit all the time. It’s the first time in his career. You know what, I think he expressed what he felt and I think it’s important that he got that out.”
Hurdle also said that, as is the team’s usual procedure, the missed calls were sent to the league for further review and that he usually discusses those matters with MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre. It’s an avenue that can and has shown results, in Hurdle’s mind, with umpires coming to speak with him about a call after the sent in to the league.
Hurdle also made sure to mention that the team also sends in video clips of situations that the team felt the umpires handled well, too.
It’s an imperfect system, and it’s unlikely to have a large result on what happens to McCutchen in the near future, but until the robot umpires come, it’s the best baseball can do.
MERCER BOUNCES BACK
Shortstop Jordy Mercer is in the lineup and leading off after leaving Sunday night’s game with head and right ear discomfort. Hurdle said that Mercer underwent testing as part of the team’s concussion protocol and was cleared by the training staff.
Gregory Polanco is out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game with a leg injury. He did pinch hit for the first time Sunday night and Hurdle is hopeful that he will be able to play a larger role soon.
NOTES
Francisco Liriano will face Scott Kazmir on the mound. Liriano has given up four or more runs in five consecutive starts. Kazmir has made two starts at PNC Park in his career and has an 11.17 ERA, the second-highest of any venue for the 32-year-old lefty.
