Song Seong-moon at bat, another controversial call! Even the ABS wasn't accepted by 'that umpire' → Turns out he's a habitual offender who also stole Lee Jung-hoo's hit

*This content was translated by AI.

Song Seong-moon (30, San Diego Padres) recorded a valuable RBI in the final game of the first half, but an absurd situation unfolded where he couldn't even attempt an ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike System) challenge due to the umpire's clumsy game management. In the process, Steve Sosa Jr., the hitting coach replacing Song Seong-moon, made a scene by vehemently protesting and was ultimately ejected.

On the 13th (Korea time), Song Seong-moon started at third base and batted ninth in the home game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, recording two at-bats with no hits, one RBI, and one walk.

The incident occurred in the bottom of the second inning with the score tied 1-1, one out, and bases loaded during Song Seong-moon's first at-bat. Just before he could deliver a game-winning RBI, an absurd umpire call held him back. With a 3-0 count, Kevin Gausman's fourth pitch, a low four-seam fastball from the Toronto starter, came in low. Believing it was a walk, Song Seong-moon dropped his bat, but home plate umpire Jeff Powell raised his hand for a strike. It was an obvious error.

Song Seong-moon immediately tapped his helmet to request an ABS challenge. However, Umpire Powell firmly rejected the request, citing that the designated time for filing a challenge had passed. Song Seong-moon's expression captured on the broadcast was filled with injustice.

In fact, umpire Jeff Powell, who disrupted the flow of the game that day, is already notorious among Korean baseball fans. On June 9, he declared Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) out after he hit an infield grounder and sprinted to first base, creating an obvious safe timing, despite video review eventually overturning the call. He also has a record of making absurd errors during last November's Korea-Japan national team exhibition match. This time, by depriving Song Seong-moon of his legitimate right to challenge, he once again found himself under the spotlight of controversy.

Song Seong-moon bit his lip to calm his emotions before attempting to step back into the batter's box, but the San Diego dugout exploded instead. Hitting coach Steve Sosa Jr. came out to the front of the dugout and vehemently protested to the umpiring crew, and eventually, the third base umpire ordered Coach Sosa Jr. to be ejected. Even manager Craig Stammen came out to make a formal inquiry. In the end, only the hitting coach was ejected, and the game resumed.

Even after that, Song Seong-moon maintained his composure and displayed intense focus. He calmly picked up Gausman's fifth low fastball and finally drew a bases-loaded walk. Third baseman Jake Cronenworth crossed home plate, allowing San Diego to successfully take a 2-1 lead.

Umpire Powell's clumsy game management continued afterward. With two outs during Jackson Merrill's at-bat, he called a balk against Gausman, bringing the runner on base home. This led to Toronto manager John Schneider and Gausman protesting fiercely from the mound, meaning Umpire Powell drew the ire of both teams throughout the game. San Diego benefited from luck due to that balk call.

Later, Song Seong-moon was retired with a shortstop fly ball in the fourth inning and an infield grounder by the third baseman in the seventh, finishing the game with two at-bats, no hits, one walk, and one RBI. San Diego repelled Toronto's comeback attempts and won 5-4, recovering to a .500 winning percentage with 48 wins and 48 losses.

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*This content was translated by AI.