No one was happy about the way the Mets won their Thursday afternoon game against the Marlins – not even their broadcast team.
The Mets achieved perhaps the most controversial victory of the early season when Michael Conforto loaded with base in ninth place, leaning in a pitch that was clearly in the hitting zone and the triangle had to be named. Instead, the referees ruled that he had been hit by a counter while walking in the winning run.
Repeatly, the call was confirmed, but the Mets’ SNY broadcast teams of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez were not afraid to call what everyone saw.
A shocked Cohen immediately said: ‘It hit Conforto, he made no attempt to get out of the way, it was a strike, but he did not move. ‘The broadcasters confirmed during a rerun that he leaned in, and appeared to be sure they would return the call, arguing that the play was reviewable or not.
When the call came, the announcers did not celebrate, and they looked discouraged and frustrated, even though their team walked away with a victory.
“It simply came to our notice then. They do not get it right. So why even play again? ‘Ask Darling.
Referee Ron Kulpa later admitted he blew the call, saying “I should have called him.”
The result is the result, and the Mets won their home team and brought their record on the young season to 2-2.