The Cubs and Rangers were tied 2-2 heading into the ninth when things got messy. With a runner on third, a pitch from Leclerc got past catcher Jonah Heim and allowed the go-ahead run to score. Heim protested immediately, saying the batter tipped the ball and it should’ve been a foul. The ump didn’t hear it and didn’t call it. Replay clearly showed contact, but that type of play isn’t reviewable under current MLB rules. So the call stood and the Cubs took a one-run lead. Heim was visibly frustrated, and while he had a point about the missed call, he also failed to go after the ball, allowing the run to score.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Rangers pinch-hit Travis Jankowski. He worked a full count and then crushed a hanging 3-2 slider for a game-tying home run. Great at-bat, and perfect read on the pitch. Crowd went nuts, and one fan snagged the ball clean while holding a beer. Tensions rolled into the 10th. Bases loaded, two outs, with Heim stepping in. After being at the center of the earlier blown call, he found himself with a chance to end it. He swung at the second pitch, another fastball in the same spot as before, and walked it off for Texas. A brutal umpiring mistake, a blown lead, and then redemption in extras. Baseball doesn’t script itself like this, but sometimes it sure looks like it does. Rangers start their season with a wild opening day win.