Angels’ Jo Adell Furious After Game-Ending Blown Call Against Orioles

The Los Angeles Angels were up in arms Wednesday after umpires appeared to blow a game-ending call and seal a 6-5 victory for the Baltimore Orioles.

Down one run with two outs in the ninth, Angels base runner Jo Adell attempted to steal second on Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel but was called out. However, Upon further review, it appeared that Adell’s right foot may have touched the base before being tagged near his belt.

“I was in there,” Adell said after the game. That call goes our way. We have [Luis Rengifo] up with a runner on second, and we’re ready to tie the game.”

The Angels challenged the call, leading to a lengthy review to decide the game. In the end, remote MLB officials in the league’s Manhattan office ultimately decided to uphold the original call, citing a lack of clear evidence to overturn it.

Adell was not the only Angels team member to express disbelief after the game, as both manager Ron Washington and Mike Trout said that they believed that the call was wrong. The close loss was especially frustrating because the team was attempting to comeback from an early 6-0 deficit, falling just short.

Escaping the jam, the Orioles earned their second win over the Angels to take the three-game series. The Orioles improved to 16-8 on the season and are now just a half-game behind the Yankees in the AL East. The Angels, on the other hand, are third and falling in the AL West.

After a hot start to the season, Los Angeles has crashed down to a 10-15 record through its first 25 games. Washington’s arrival as manager and some improved offensive play may have provided a temporary boost and nothing more, as the team has won just three of the last 10 games and recently sent Anthony Rendon to the injured list.

Article by Patrick Moquin