The New York Yankees may have walked off with a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night, but it’s the final pitch of the game, not the scoreboard, that has MLB fans in an uproar. With Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe at the plate and closer Mark Leiter Jr. on the mound, the game ended in controversy when a wide curveball was called strike three by the home plate umpire, sealing the win for the Yankees.
A brutal strike three call ends the game pic.twitter.com/ydYwcn3TzF
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 29, 2025
The call, which appeared clearly outside the strike zone, immediately sparked reactions on social media. Baseball fans erupted with criticism, not just from Angels supporters but also from Yankees fans who admitted the strike call was off the mark.
Fans didn’t hold back. One called the Yankees “the Dallas Cowboys of MLB.” Others demanded the league implement an automated challenge system for balls and strikes. Even Yankees supporters admitted it was a “terrible way to end the game.”
“Look at all the losers celebrating about their win! Enjoy the win! You guys are the Dallas Cowboys of the mlb and can’t beat legitimate teams,” one fan wrote.
Look at all the losers celebrating about their win! Enjoy the win! You guys are the Dallas cowboys of the mlb and can’t beat legitimate teams😂😂😂#WEARE
— James Franklin HC (@JamesFrankw1n) May 29, 2025
“The challenge system is absolutely NEEDED,” another fan demanded.
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The challenge system is absolutely NEEDED
— DJ Martinez (@DJMartinez06) May 29, 2025
“I’m a Yankee fan, that was not a strike,” one honest Bronx fan wrote.
I’m a Yankee fan, that was not a strike
— WAE (@BE10sCoach) May 29, 2025
“Its comical at this point, why the fuck aren’t you penalizing your employees for making blatant mistakes?” one fan asked.
@MLB its comical at this point, why the fuck aren’t you penalizing your employees for making blatant mistakes?
— Wizard of O.Z. (@highoctanegenes) May 29, 2025
“I’m a Yankees fan and I actually felt bad about this. No one wants their teams game to end like that…,” a fan commented.
I’m a Yankees fan and I actually felt bad about this. No one wants their teams game to end like that…
— Kelldoza (@Kelldoza) May 29, 2025
Yankees Edge Past Angels
Controversy aside, the Yankees secured a fifth straight win behind stellar pitching. Clarke Schmidt threw six shutout innings, backed by a flawless bullpen effort from Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill, and Leiter Jr., who closed the game with the disputed strikeout.
The game’s only run came in the first inning after Aaron Judge was intentionally walked for the second time, and Anthony Volpe brought in the runner with a sacrifice fly. It was a tough loss for the Angels, who wasted a strong performance from their own staff in a game that could’ve gone either way.
Also Read: VIDEO: Security Guards Brutally Takedown Fan Who Almost Got Away During Yankees vs. Angels Game
