Wed Oct 29 02:40:00 UTC 2025: Headline: Controversial Call Costs Blue Jays in Marathon World Series Loss
Los Angeles, CA – A questionable strike call ignited controversy and ultimately hampered the Toronto Blue Jays in their epic 6-5, 18-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
The incident occurred in the top of the second inning with Daulton Varsho at the plate and Bo Bichette on first base. With a 3-1 count, Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow threw a pitch that appeared to be outside the strike zone. Varsho, believing he had walked, began to toss his bat toward the dugout.
However, home plate umpire Mark Wegner called strike two, albeit with a delayed hand signal. Seeing Varsho’s reaction, Bichette took off from first, assuming a walk had been issued. Glasnow quickly threw to first, resulting in Bichette being called out.
While Varsho eventually walked, the Blue Jays failed to capitalize, stranding runners on the corners and missing an opportunity to take an early lead and drive up Glasnow’s pitch count.
“I think [Bichette] thought it was a ball,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider told FOX during the game. “I think a runner’s assumption, obviously, is the umpire is telling Varsh that it was a ball — for him to throw his bat like that. So it’s a weird play.”
Wegner defended his call, stating, “I guess [Varsho] didn’t hear me…and so that’s why maybe he started to go to first. And I didn’t really see Bo until afterward. But that’s how I do it every time.”
The missed opportunity was a significant blow for Toronto, who are aiming to exploit what is perceived to be a weakness in the Dodgers’ bullpen by forcing them to use as many pitchers as possible.
Schneider, while acknowledging Wegner’s experience, suggested a need for more clarity in high-pressure situations. “Mark’s a great umpire, been doing it a long time,” he said. “Very delayed call, pretty deliberate. He just didn’t say anything, so Varsh assumed it was a ball and Bo assumed. I just asked him, in this environment, can he be a little bit quicker or give a little bit of clarity so everyone kind of knows what’s going on.”
The play also stifled the momentum of Bichette, who had previously singled despite playing with a left knee sprain. While the Blue Jays battled valiantly, the controversial call remains a point of contention in a game that will be remembered for its extraordinary length and dramatic finish.
First Piper 