Game 1 of the Braves’ 3-0 loss to the Phillies in the National League Division Series was postponed Saturday after fans tossed beer cans and water bottles on the field following a close call late in the game.
The event was comparable, albeit to a lesser extent, to one that occurred 11 years ago when the Braves were on the wrong end of a contentious umpire’s call.
J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies hit in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and a 2-0 lead. With a 3-2 count, Braves reliever Pierce Johnson threw a pitch that Realmuto fouled off. Home plate umpire Brian O’Nora ruled catcher’s interference on the play, indicating that Realmuto’s bat struck the glove of Braves catcher Sean Murphy.
Following a Braves challenge and review, the ruling was upheld, and a run was forced in, giving the Phillies a 3-0 lead.
Just as play was ready to restart, supporters in the right and left field stands flung cans and bottles onto the Truist Park pitch. The game was slightly delayed while the grounds team cleared up the rubbish.
Braves manager Brian Snitker took umbrage with the fan reaction
“We are out there,” Snitker said. “There is no excuse for that. I’ve been on the field when that’s happened, it’s scary because when those water bottles when they come, they are like grenades. It could really seriously injure one of our players. That’s uncalled for.”
Nick Castellanos grounded out to end the inning once play resumed.
On Oct. 5, 2012, the Braves lost to the Cardinals, 6-3, in a win-or-go-home wild card game at Turner Field. Sam Holbrook was the left field umpire. With runners at first and second with one out in the sixth inning, Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons popped up to left field. Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma was backing up and called for the ball, but he halted at the last moment. The ball landed in the grass just behind Kozma and in front of confused left fielder Matt Holliday. But Holbrook had called the infield fly rule.
Fans showered the field with beer bottles and cans following the call that caused a lengthy delay and was not a good look for Braves fans.
Concerning Saturday’s incident, all involved agreed that catcher’s interference was the correct call.
Murphy: “I didn’t feel it, but I think he nicked me.”
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