TIGERS FUME AS UMPIRES BOTCH TWO CRUCIAL CALLS IN THIRD INNING VS. YANKEES
By Staff Reporter – July 19, 2025
The Detroit Tigers were left stunned and visibly frustrated Friday night after two controversial calls by the umpiring crew in the third inning went against them — both of which had a significant impact on the game’s momentum. The back-to-back decisions — involving outfielder Riley Greene and infielder Javier Báez — have reignited calls for expanded replay and accountability in Major League Baseball officiating.
A Catch… That Wasn’t?
The first moment of controversy came when Yankees slugger Aaron Judge lifted a shallow fly ball to center field. Riley Greene, known for his lightning reflexes and athleticism, charged forward and made what appeared to be a clean, diving catch — gloving the ball just inches off the grass.
Greene immediately popped up and showed the ball to the umpire, but third base umpire Mark Riddle ruled it a trap, not a catch, allowing Judge to reach base safely.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch emerged from the dugout in protest, calling for a review. However, under current MLB rules, certain types of judgment calls on catches — especially if ruled as “no catch” — are not subject to video challenge if the umpires determine it was a “non-definitive” play. The crew chief upheld the call on the field.
Television replays, however, painted a different story. Slow-motion angles appeared to show Greene securing the ball just before it touched the turf.
“He caught it. It’s that simple,” Hinch said postgame. “We’ve got 4K cameras showing it clearly, and we’re still told there’s ‘nothing definitive.’ That’s hard to accept.”
The Missed Tag
Just one batter later, chaos returned — this time involving Javier Báez, who fielded a sharp grounder and fired it to second base for what should’ve been a routine force-out. The Yankees’ baserunner, Gleyber Torres, slid past second base as Báez made a sweeping tag.
The second base umpire, Tony Norwood, ruled Torres safe, prompting disbelief from Báez, who immediately pointed to his glove, insisting he had tagged the runner’s leg.
“Just look at the replay,” Báez said bluntly. “I tagged him. Clean. Twice.”
The Tigers again attempted to challenge the ruling, but the review — while showing Báez brushing Torres — was deemed “inconclusive,” and the call was upheld due to a “lack of clear and convincing evidence.” Fans in Comerica Park erupted in boos, and social media exploded with slow-motion clips seemingly validating Báez’s protest.
A Turning Point in the Game
These two calls contributed to a critical shift in momentum. What could have been a quick inning ended up becoming a three-run frame for the Yankees, who capitalized on the extended opportunity with RBI singles from Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Volpe.
The Tigers ultimately fell 6–4, but it was the third inning that changed the tone of the game.
League Response?
As of Saturday morning, MLB had not issued a formal statement regarding the officiating in the game, but Tigers fans and players alike are calling for more transparency and better technology integration in the review system.
“When technology can show the truth in seconds, and we still get it wrong, something’s broken,” Hinch said. “We’re not asking for perfection — just consistency and accountability.”
Social Media Fallout
#RileyCaughtIt and #JusticeForBaez trended across X (formerly Twitter) Friday night, with former players, analysts, and fans expressing outrage.
“Two blown calls in the same inning? That’s unacceptable,” wrote former MLB player and commentator Mark DeRosa. “Tigers got robbed.”
Looking Ahead
With the Tigers in the thick of the AL Wild Card race, every win — and every controversial loss — matters. Friday’s game won’t be replayed, and the runs won’t be erased, but the sting of those missed calls is sure to linger in Detroit.
As one fan put it:
“We’re not asking for favors — just for fair calls. And last night, we didn’t get them.”
