The Brewers had a weird and heated game thanks to some questionable umpiring and chaotic moments. In the fifth inning, what looked like an inning-ending double play turned strange when the ball hit the runner. Brewers catcher Jacob Nottingham called for interference, but the umpire said no, causing frustration from manager Craig Counsell, who argued the ruling made no sense. Things got worse in the seventh with a check swing called strike one on Nottingham. The pitch clearly looked like a ball, and the Brewers bench erupted, wondering why the home plate ump didn’t appeal to first base for help.
Things spiraled. A hot mic caught the ump saying he was “trying the whole time,” with some added profanity. Then came the classic mask slam — a theatrical show of authority from the ump. Yellow and Braun, hanging at the bench, couldn’t believe why the ump put himself in that position with such a call. Nottingham’s at-bat didn’t get any better. He got called out on strike three, but the previous pitch in almost the exact same spot had been called a ball. Nottingham’s reaction made it clear he did not agree with how the whole thing played out.
Despite the mess, the Brewers rallied. Ben Gamel and Keston Hiura came through with key hits. The Indians’ defense fell apart during the rally. Yelich made it to second on an error, and Braun added an RBI single. Milwaukee took control and pulled ahead. The crew was fired up, and after all the drama, they walked away with the momentum.