Extra-inning games can take a toll on players, but apparently they can wear out umpires, too.
At least that was the case Thursday at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, where the Yankees and A’s played 18 innings. Home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor got a little confused during the 11th inning. With two outs and a 2-1 count, A’s left fielder Seth Smith watched as a pitch sailed by him for strike two. But Bucknor had other ideas, as he stepped back and delivered an emphatic arm motion, seemingly thinking it was strike three and the inning-ender.
Bucknor quickly realized what he did and got a good laugh out of himself for making the mistake. Smith ended up grounding out in the at-bat, and the A’s went on to win in walk-off style in the 18th.
Check out the emphatic strike two call in the video below.
