New York — The New York Yankees’ captain fell victim to controversial umpiring in 1-0 loss to the Red Sox Friday night when home plate umpire Lance Barrett called three straight strikes that appeared outside the zone. Aaron Judge struck out looking in the first inning against Boston Red Sox starter Brayan Bello without swinging once. Each pitch missed the strike zone on replay, but Barrett’s decisions stood.
Yankees broadcaster Paul O’Neill immediately criticized the calls during the live broadcast. Judge, who leads the majors with a .329 average, walked back to the dugout without arguing.
Yankees broadcaster questions umpire’s calls against Judge
O’Neill voiced concern after Brayan Bello’s first pitch was ruled a ball and the next two were called strikes.
“Both those pitches in this count, in my mind, are balls,” O’Neill said. “He has not thrown a strike in this count. But he’s been just off the corner and just below the strike zone. And Aaron Judge has two strikes on him.”
Before the third strike, O’Neill observed Barrett’s zone as “pitcher-friendly.” When the final pitch was called strike three, O’Neill gave his strongest reaction.
“You know what, that could’ve been an at-bat where not one ball was actually in the strike zone,” he said.
The strikeout came during a critical series between the longtime American League East rivals. Boston had already taken the opener Thursday with a 6-3 win, cutting New York’s lead to a half-game. Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony hit a two-run homer in the ninth after a misplay at first base by Paul Goldschmidt sealed that loss for New York.
The pressure carried into Friday, with both teams fighting for playoff positioning as the season entered its final month. Rivalry intensity added weight to every inning as October looms.
Judge remains a top candidate for his third American League MVP award despite the setback. Currently serving as designated hitter while recovering from a right elbow flexor strain, he has continued to produce at an elite pace.
Through 117 games this season, he leads MLB with a .329 batting average, .444 on-base percentage, and 1.124 OPS. His power and consistency have fueled the Yankees’ playoff hopes despite his time away from the field.
Judge’s 6-foot-7 frame has always challenged umpires with low strike calls. Data since 2017 shows he has received more missed calls below the zone than any other player. Even so, Judge rarely argues with officials, choosing professionalism over confrontation. Friday’s at-bat, however, highlighted how persistent those miscalls remain.
Judge’s availability remains central for New York as he recovers from his elbow injury. While limited to designated hitter duties, his bat is still the most feared in the Yankees’ lineup.
Friday’s umpiring controversy added fuel to the rivalry’s long history. With the season nearing its close, every call gains importance, and Barrett’s strike zone will draw continued scrutiny. MLB is expected to review the decisions as part of its standard umpire evaluation process.
