Pete Alonso came up with runners on the corners in the first inning and faced off against Jordan Hicks. Alonso has always mashed fastballs, slugging .555 against them for his career. But there’s one exception: high and inside fastballs, especially from righties, have given him nothing. He’s never recorded a hit on one, going 0-for-19 on such pitches in his career. Hicks, who throws triple digits from the right side, has never given up a hit on an inside fastball this season. So the Cardinals went right to that plan.
Hicks missed up and in with his first two pitches, the second one at 101 mph sailing even higher. The umpire ruled it hit Alonso, awarding him first base. But replays suggested it hit the knob of his bat, not his hand. Both broadcasts agreed it looked like it struck the bat, not flesh. The Cardinals challenged, but the call stood. Alonso looked unimpressed, knowing the wrong call went his way. The Cardinals dugout was furious, and the blown call helped spark a Mets rally in the first inning.
Jordan Hicks cracked a smile, maybe at the absurdity of it all. The Cardinals’ manager couldn’t believe it wasn’t overturned, and neither could the Mets broadcast team. The review system stuck with the call on the field despite clear visual evidence suggesting otherwise. The decision led to early runs for New York and a lot of angry faces in the St. Louis dugout.