Mookie Betts Reacts to Bad Call from Umpire in Dodgers Loss

Mookie is left in disbelief at terrible strike three call.

Freddie Freeman had a two on, two out, 9th inning situation taken away from him thanks to an absolutely horrible strike three call on Mookie Betts to end the game. It was the second ball four for the Dodgers that was called strike three by home plate umpire Paul Emmel.

Launch an investigation!

Back-to-back garbage called strike threes. MLB umps never disappoint when it comes to disappointing. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/okvWOpDhCm

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) May 21, 2023

Mookie's reaction here says it all. Miguel Rojas as well.

Thoughts on this called third strike to end the game? pic.twitter.com/nfeipBtFUB

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 21, 2023

After the game, Betts reacted verbally to the bad call.

Mookie Betts on the called third strike to end the game: “He called it. There’s nothing I can do.” https://t.co/XzzFRtKoWG

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) May 21, 2023

“Nothing we can do about it. It’s over with now,” Betts said. "He called it. Nothing you can do. He called it a strike. Can’t take it back.”

Mookie took the high road knowing that nothing he could say would put the Dodgers back in the situation they should be in. Home plate umpire Paul Emmel made a bad call. Dave Roberts was a little more matter of fact.

“He missed it,” Doc said. “Everyone is trying to compete, all of us. And it’s unfortunate that missed call determined the finality of that game. It was a great at-bat. It’s unfortunate.”

Reactions from Dodgers Nation

Fans on Twitter quickly took to the app to share their reactions.

A number of users called for the manager challenge to expand to balls and strikes.

Get the strike challenge implemented. Still have umps call it, but give teams 3 challenges a game.

— ryan 👨🏻‍💻 (@ryantheryno_) May 21, 2023

Allow 3 manager / player challenges per game. They would be very quick and if all three are correct the team earns a 4th. I have also suggested a 10% relegation, like Soccer. The worst 10% of MLB umps get demoted the top 10% of AAA umps promoted. Do both. @Howard_Cole @MLB

— David Miller (@CarlsbadDodger) May 21, 2023

Other users wanted to see more accountability for umpires.

Repercussions for consistently bad umpires and allow teams to challenge 3 strike calls

— Brian Oh🥥🌴 (@Brex11223344) May 21, 2023

Hold umpires accountable. Or institute a system where calls like that that end key at bats are looked at by video replay to ensure they’re correct.

— Patrick Corcoran (@PatrickTaylor34) May 21, 2023

One of 2 bad strike calls on Betts in this at bat. Another poor one on Smith earlier in the inning.

These things even out. Dodgers had some bad calls go their way last week against the Twins.@MLB - Embarrassing in a big spot on national TV especially when a solution exists. https://t.co/pkSxmkxiQ6

— Pat Dwyer ⚾️ (@TheRealPJDwyer) May 21, 2023

The called strike ended an impressive comeback attempt for the Dodgers and handed the game to the Cardinals.