The later innings of the Cardinals/Braves NL Wild Card Game certainly had the makings of Green Bay/Seattle Monday Night Football… A close game and a bad call that could’ve costs one team a victory.
During the 8th inning of a 6-3 St. Louis lead, Atlanta’s Andrelton Simmons popped a fly ball out to shallow left field. Cardinal shortstop Pete Kozma tracked the ball before letting it drop meaning everyone was safe with the bases loaded and one out right?
Wrong…
Just before the ball landed, the third base umpire pointed his finger up signaling an infield fly meaning the batter was out and the runners could advance at their own risk.
Immediately after the call was made Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez came out to argue the call before the Turner Field crowd began to liter the field with what ever they could.
St. Louis was able to hold onto their 6-3 lead and win the game as the Braves protested it’s outcome. VP of Baseball Operations Joe Torre however would deny the Atlanta protest as the Cardinals officially advanced to the NLDS to take on the Washington Nationals.
Tonight’s game also marked the end of a 19 year MLB career as Braves third baseman Chipper Jones announced before the season that this would be his last.
