Jose Altuve came up with two outs and runners in scoring position, and the Mets shifted their infield in, expecting a soft hit. On the third pitch from Luis Severino, Altuve fouled a ball off his foot. At least, that’s what he and most observers thought. The Astros broadcast didn’t switch cameras and kept the shot on Altuve, thinking it was a clear foul. But the Mets broadcast followed the ball, which stayed in play. The umps ruled it a fair ball, leading to confusion and a lot of frustration from Altuve.
The home plate umpire was working his first ever game behind the plate. Sensing the moment, the Astros wanted the crew to huddle and talk it over. They did, but without replay access, they relied on their own recall. Replays later showed the ball changing direction after appearing to hit Altuve’s foot, but it wasn’t definitive. Altuve was furious, pleading his case and throwing his gear in frustration. Mets fans in the front row laughed and clapped in his face, adding insult to injury. Earlier in the game, Altuve had also forgotten how many outs there were. It was a rough night all around for both him and the rookie umpire.