ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon signed the lineup card for Joe Nathan’s 300th career save and gave it to the Texas Rangers closer.
Maddon considers the gesture routine for landmark baseball moments. This one ended up symbolizing his attempt to move on after home plate umpire Marty Foster’s botched call on a game-ending strike three bailed out Nathan.
Maddon blocked the umpires at their exit to the tunnel after Monday night’s 5-4 loss. Less than 24 hours later, he declared it “over with.” So did Ben Zobrist, the hitter so shocked by the call, he grabbed his helmet with both hands, and gently placed it on the ground.
Foster acknowledged after the game that he missed the call on the full-count pitch.
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