On another loss at the Trop, Robbie Ray's velocity dip, the need for more urgency when games are close, Charlie not looking at the standings, Ron Kulpa's terrible ninth, scoreboard watching, and more!
While you can't blame Kulpa entirely for the Jays loss (they were plenty sloppy), he was all too big a factor. The inaccurate calls were decidedly lopsided, particularly when you consider the moments they were called. Ray got exactly zero edge calls in his favour. Apart from being gifted one strike that was clearly a ball Kulpa destroyed Ray's effectiveness and allowed Tampa batters an easy job of leaving anything close alone. We were not similarly favoured as edge strikes often became strike three for many Jays batters, in addition to the egregious balls called strikes you mentioned. One of the worst was the potential rally snuffer after Kirk reached on the error in the 8th. With Jansen on for Kirk with none out, Gurriel was awarded strike 2 on a ball 4 to 6 inches outside.
While you can't blame Kulpa entirely for the Jays loss (they were plenty sloppy), he was all too big a factor. The inaccurate calls were decidedly lopsided, particularly when you consider the moments they were called. Ray got exactly zero edge calls in his favour. Apart from being gifted one strike that was clearly a ball Kulpa destroyed Ray's effectiveness and allowed Tampa batters an easy job of leaving anything close alone. We were not similarly favoured as edge strikes often became strike three for many Jays batters, in addition to the egregious balls called strikes you mentioned. One of the worst was the potential rally snuffer after Kirk reached on the error in the 8th. With Jansen on for Kirk with none out, Gurriel was awarded strike 2 on a ball 4 to 6 inches outside.