Fans daydreaming about being an MLB umpire got a taste of what it’s like on Monday night.
Manny Machado was at the plate during a critical juncture of the San Diego Padres’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers took an 8-6 lead over the Padres in the top of the 10th inning at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif.
Machado, who led off the inning for San Diego, worked a full count against Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott. The payoff pitch was a borderline pitch that just barely grazed the outside part of the strike zone.
Home plate umpire Mike Estabrook called Machado out on strikes, provoking the six-time All-Star to chew him out. The entire exchange was caught on camera from Estrabrook’s point of view.
Manny Machado did not take too kindly to a called strike. Ump Cam FTW. pic.twitter.com/HRXfZgnzkC
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 10, 2025
What it looks like to be cussed out by Manny Machado after messing up a call pic.twitter.com/0NEuTqu9Ud
— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 10, 2025
Padres manager Mike Shildt was able to de-escalate the situation enough to prevent Machado from getting thrown out. But it did not change the call, which completely swung the game.
Three pitches later, Jackson Merrill smashed a double into the gap in right-center field to drive the ghost runner in. If Estabrook had given Machado the call, the Padres star could have feasibly scored off first base or, at the very least, made it to third with nobody out. Shildt could have also brought in a pinch runner in his place.
Instead, Gavin Sheets popped out and Xander Bogaerts flied out as the Padres lost 8-7.
