MLB Fans Roasted Umpire Angel Hernandez for Baffling Call in Extra Innings

Karl Rasmussen | Apr 5, 2024

MLB umpire Angel Hernandez informs Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson that he swung on an attempted check swing. / Screenshot via Codify on X

MLB umpire Angel Hernandez left just about everyone scratching their heads after an errant ruling he made behind the plate during extra innings of the bout between the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets on Thursday.

In the first game of the teams' doubleheader, Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson came to the plate in the 11th inning. The bases were loaded and Detroit had built a 6–3 lead, with the young slugger looking to inflict further damage.

In a 1–1 count, Torkelson managed to check his swing on a pitch inside. Or so it seemed. Hernandez stunningly called it a strike, indicating that Torkelson had gone around with his swing, resulting in plenty of confusion.

Replay confirmed that Torkelson's bat barely moved, and certainly did not go around for a swing, yet due to the fact that Hernandez ruled it a strike, the play could not be overturned. Torkelson proceeded to ground out to third to end the inning.

so ángel hernández said this was a swing 😮 pic.twitter.com/QCoIqXAZPI

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 5, 2024

Although Hernandez's mistake didn't prove too impactful on the result of the game, MLB fans were not pleased about the egregious error, ruthlessly voicing their displeasure on social media.

Good to see Angel in midseason form. https://t.co/bTbVkqp8in

— Jerome Jurenovich (@JeromeOnSports) April 5, 2024

There may not be another person as bad at their profession on the entire planet. https://t.co/0XuM4SwLdl

— Rob Pizzola (@robpizzola) April 5, 2024

Great, rock-solid ump. Everyone loves the guy. Never makes it about himself. True professional in every sense of the word. https://t.co/kmnTZX4qbg

— Ross Villarreal (@SportsRV) April 5, 2024

Fire this guy into the sun. https://t.co/BTqDbxOdiG

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 5, 2024

When can we as a society move on from Angel Hernandez as an umpire https://t.co/XjAPYfBIIi

— Paul Entreedes (@kingjames0199) April 5, 2024

Angel Hernandez should not be calling games in the year of our lord two-thousand and twenty-four https://t.co/SFTTigI8fF

— Goose (@BravesGoose) April 5, 2024