The Cubs were trailing by one in the bottom of the ninth with runners on base. Kyle Schwarber battled to a full count and took a borderline pitch. The home plate ump checked with the third base ump, who ruled that Schwarber swung. Game over. Schwarber lost it immediately, yelling and dropping a few choice words. Joe Maddon came out to defend his guy, but even he knew the game was done. Schwarber kept going, shouting and charging, using Javier Báez on third as cover to make it more dramatic. Báez didn’t move, letting Schwarber have the spotlight while also acting as a buffer. Jason Heyward stepped in to try to calm the situation and move on.
The replay added little clarity. Schwarber may have gone around. It was close. As frustrating as it was, once the ump made the call, the game was sealed. The Cubs’ rally ended not with a game-winning hit, but with a check-swing controversy that will probably replay in the clubhouse for days.