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Controversial Apparent Missed Call in ALDS Game 3 Doesn't End Up Hurting Houston Astros

The Minnesota Twins were the recipient of a huge call in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros but it didn't end up hurting Houston, who went onto win the game 9-1.
Brady Farkas|
Controversial Apparent Missed Call in ALDS Game 3 Doesn't End Up Hurting Houston Astros
Controversial Apparent Missed Call in ALDS Game 3 Doesn't End Up Hurting Houston Astros

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Houston AstrosMinnesota Twins

The Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday afternoon 9-1 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

With the win, the Astros lead the series 2-1 and are just one win away from moving onto the American League Championship Series. The Twins are now one loss away from elimination.

In the victory, the Astros got two home runs from Jose Abreu and a homer each from Alex Bregman and slugger Yordan Alvarez, who went 3-for-5 in total.

Before the game got completely out of hand, the Twins were the beneficiary of a very curious umpire call in the fifth inning; one that could have changed the trajectory of the game.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, with the score 5-0 Astros, Jorge Polanco appeared to foul a 3-2 pitch into the glove of catcher Martin Maldonado. Replay appeared to show that contact with the ball was made and should have been a strikeout. Instead, the umpires ruled that no contact had occurred and Polanco was awarded a walk, which loaded the bases with one out.

You can see the play below, courtesy of Fox Sports: MLB.

That play is not reviewable. Javier went onto strike out both Max Kepler and Royce Lewis to end the threat subsequently. 

Javier danced in and out of trouble all game, but ultimately threw five scoreless innings. The righty gave up one hit and walked five. He also struck out nine. He owns a lifetime 1.91 ERA in 15 career playoff games.

Game 4 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 2:07 p.m. ET. That could change depending on the final result of the Orioles/Rangers game.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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