Yet another game, yet another foul call that baffled everyone! This time, though, it was a bounce so strange it stole a win—not with a roar but with a confused quiet. It was not a dubious call. Forget the furious debates about balls and strikes; instead, consider the slow-motion replays breaking through near calls at the plate.
A controversial double play in the ninth inning became the center of attention in a closely contested game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Texas Rangers. The Dodgers won 3-0, but the way the game ended left players and supporters both questioning the integrity of the last call. The 3B Josh Jung came up as the tying run, with one out in the ninth and the Rangers behind by three runs. His third-base shot appeared to go foul. After the ball bounced back into the fair area, Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy started a 5-4-3 double play to end the game. Jung hesitated and didn’t run because he thought the ball was foul, which led to the Dodgers’ quick double play. The incident left everyone shocked.
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, noted the odd character of the play and showed surprise at Jung’s indecision. “I was shocked that Jung didn’t run it out before arguing his case,” Roberts remarked, pointing out that although the circumstances were unanticipated, the umpires made the right judgment. He also complimented Muncy’s play execution, saying, “I just appreciate the way [Muncy] played it out.”
Roberts underlined that the referees handled the ball’s trajectory. He said, “And it wasn’t an umpire. It did start foul, came back, and the umpires got it right. Fortunately, we saved Tanner some pitches and won a ballgame.”
According to Major League Baseball’s official rules, a batted ball is fair if it first settles on or over fair territory beyond first or third base, or between home and first or home and third, or if it touches first, second, or third base. Jung’s ball started in fair territory. After the second bounce, it went into the foul zone, but it weirdly spun back into fair territory and Muncy’s glove. Muncy’s double play—stepping on third and throwing to first—was allowed because the ball was in play.
The event reminds both teams of baseball’s complexity and the small margins that can decide games during the season. While the Rangers will strive to learn from the experience and stay focused on future high-stress occasions, the Dodgers’ triumph boosts them.
The divisive ending of the Dodgers-Rangers game is not a unique occurrence in the Dodgers’ 2025 campaign. Earlier, during their season-opening series against the Detroit Tigers, they were involved in similar contentious events that greatly affected game results.
Dodgers and the close call riddle
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 season already had a few significant incidents where near calls have worked out in their favor. Although over a long season, clubs can benefit from or suffer due to umpire rulings, the Dodgers have particularly found themselves in a good position on certain crucial verdicts.
One such incident occurred on March 29 against the Detroit Tigers. Detroit’s Manuel Margot was first assessed safe at the top of the ninth inning following a close play at home plate, therefore tying the game. The review, however, revealed that Margot was called out, and the Tigers’ go-ahead run was annulled. This decision was divisive since inconclusive replays infuriated both Tigers’ players and others. The Dodgers grabbed on this in the bottom of the ninth, Mookie Betts blasting a walk-off three-run homer to ensure an 8-5 victory.
In addition, Tigers catcher Jake Rogers had another controversial episode in the series. Rogers was called out on a foul tip strikeout; views on whether he touched the ball were divided. The call went, and the Dodgers maintained their momentum. These consecutive incidents in one game highlight how close calls can influence the outcome.
Though it’s early to point to any propensity or trend, these instances emphasize the importance of every call in baseball. Whether such important decisions help the Dodgers or if the scales balance out over the season will be fascinating to observe.
The post Dodgers Dave Roberts Weighs In on Controversial Double Play Call In Win Over Rangers With Blunt Verdict appeared first on EssentiallySports.
