Braves’ Spencer Strider screams at umpire after borderline strikeout call: ‘F–k you’
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Spencer Strider let home plate umpire Ben May know exactly what he thought of his call.
And should the Braves top the Phillies in the NLDS en route to a potential World Series title, his two-word outburst may become part of Braves lore.
Following a called strikeout of Kevin Pillar on a borderline 3-2 pitch in the seventh inning of Monday’s 5-4 Braves win, Strider yelled at May from the dugout: “F–k you!”
The Braves had just cut what had once been a 4-0 deficit to 4-3 on Travis d’Arnaud’s two-run homer off ex-Met Zack Wheeler, prompting a pitching change.
Pillar then battled to a full count against hard-throwing lefty reliever Jose Alvarado.
Alvarado tied Pillar up with a 99-mph fastball on the inside corner that appeared to clip the border, according to the MLB.com strikezone.
Pillar, Strider and the Braves dugout could not believe the call.
Warning: Graphic language
TBS cut to the Braves’ dugout, where Strider leaned over the dugout rail to shout his message to May.
He then shook his head before cameras shifted to manager Brian Snitker, who provided a very dissatisfied look as Pillar retreated to the dugout.
Strider perhaps was still a bit salty after suffering the loss in Game 1 after allowing two runs (one earned) in seven innings in the 3-0 loss.
He was not pleased after being removed from the game, showcasing his frustration with the decision to Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz.
Strider is now 0-2 with a 5.79 ERA in two career postseason starts, both against the Phillies.
May’s call ultimately did not affect the game as the Braves rallied for the win when Austin Riley hit a dramatic full-count, two-out, two-run go-ahead homer off Jeff Hoffman in the eighth to give Atlanta’s its first lead of the series.
Michael Harris II and Riley then combined for one of the best game-ending plays in recent history to double up Bryce Harper off first base and send the series back to Philadelphia with the teams tied, 1-1.
Strider could start on normal rest in Game 4 on Thursday in Philadelphia following Wednesday’s pivotal Game 3 matchup at Citizens Bank Park.
The expected pitching matchup is Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola versus Atlanta’s Bryce Elder.
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