Detroit Tigers booth fired up after overturned calls: ‘I’m just beside myself’

Andy Dirks doffs his cap alongside Jason Benetti. Credit: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit

The Detroit Tigers lost 9-4 to the New York Mets on Thursday after the Tigers squandered an early three-run lead, completing a three-game sweep for New York. The Mets broke the game open with a three-run fifth inning, and Tigers fans may spend a few days lamenting what could’ve been after having their own baserunners somewhat questionably removed from the basepaths shortly prior.

The top of the fourth saw second baseman Gage Workman being thrown out at third, despite appearing to be obviously safe to the naked eye. Even after a video review, it was determined that there was “clear and convincing” evidence that Workman was tagged out.

Detroit’s basepath issues compounded in the fifth.

After outfielder Wenceel Perez was initially called safe, video replay overturned the call and ruled that he was caught stealing at first. The Tigers’ broadcast booth, which includes the well-respected Jason Benetti, was incredulous after the overturn.

“This is gonna get ugly in a hurry,” color commentator Andy Dirks said.

“I’ll tell you what, the Tigers have a good right to believe that something isn’t on their side right now, whether it’s the baseball gods or whatever,” Benetti, Detroit’s play-by-play analyst, added. “The first one was ridiculous. The first one should have been safe. This one, I just don’t know that we’ve seen clear proof of anything.”

“No,” Dirks responded, at just as much of a loss. “If that one wasn’t clear proof at third, how do you have clear proof at first?… I’m just beside myself with trying to understand what these rules mean and who’s got discretion of what.”