MLB ump Ángel Hernández under fire over egregious strike calls during Braves-Giants

MLB umpire Ángel Hernández came under fire Sunday afternoon for calling a strike on a pitch that appeared to be way off the plate in a game between the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants.

Braves pitcher Max Fried had two offerings to Giants batters that were especially egregious and clearly outside the zone, but Hernández called the pitches strikes. 

Codify showed the pitch charts for teams, and there were several pitches that weren’t in the batters’ box that were called strikes.

MLB umpire Ángel Hernández during a game between the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves Aug. 20, 2023, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Atlanta outfielder Marcell Ozuna was also punched out in the second inning on a seemingly bad called strike three. The pitch was at Ozuna’s shins, and broadcasters appeared to be just as stunned as Ozuna was as he walked to the dugout.

San Francisco won the game 4-3.

Umpire Angel Hernandez calls time in the first inning during a game between the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants at Truist Park Aug. 20, 2023, in Atlanta. (Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

Hernández has felt the wrath of baseball fans for the way he calls a game, and it didn’t appear he was avoiding any criticism Sunday afternoon.

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Giants outfielder Joc Pederson drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to help San Francisco pick up the win. Luis Matos and Wilmer Flores each hit home runs.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game, but we’ll take it,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said after the game. “That is a good road win against a very good team.”

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, right, speaks to umpire James Hoye during the eighth inning of game against the San Francisco Giants Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

Atlanta will play the New York Mets, and the Giants take on the Philadelphia Phillies Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.