In a strange moment during a game in Milwaukee, Paul Goldschmidt struck out on a 2-2 pitch, but he and the Cardinals thought it should have been catcher’s interference. Umpire Ron Kulpa, who has a reputation for questionable calls, said he heard two sounds and ruled it a foul tip strikeout. Goldschmidt immediately pushed back, saying he hit the catcher’s glove, not the ball. Manager Oliver Marmol came out to argue, asking if they could check with another umpire or use replay. Kulpa said no to both.
A slow-motion replay later showed that Goldschmidt did make contact with the catcher’s glove. That should have resulted in a catcher’s interference call, giving Goldschmidt first base. But with replay unavailable for that type of play and Kulpa relying only on sound, he stuck with the strikeout call. It’s a tough situation where the correct call needed video help, but current rules don’t allow it. Kulpa made a judgment call with what he had, even if it turned out wrong.