Astros @ Braves-Batter hit by oitch(no base awarded)

[jwwashburn]

In the top of the 11th, the batter for the ASTROS appeared to stick his arm up and got hit by the ball.

HPU immediately said NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!

Surprising to see this called, it is fairlty infrequent.

What is even more surprising is that the Astros Manager did not go nuts...he came out but got the explanation and sat down-no ejection.

The replays sure look like he got the call right.

[APG]

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | HOU@ATL: Downs gets hit by pitch, then strikes out - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

[zm1283]

I like this one. Watching it live the first time it didn't look like the right call, but on the replay it was a great call.

[Rufus]

I watched this live during the game and thought for sure it was a hit-by-pitch. I know umpires in the majors get paid to get the calls right, but that type of thing happens so fast and, I would imagine, infrequently that I thought it a very good call.

[jwwashburn]

I was watching live, as well, and my first response was-huh? The replay shows that he got it right, and I agree, this is a tough call.

Maybe it was more obvious from behind? The catcher was on to it, as well.

[TwoBits]

I agree with all of the above. I couldn't believe the umpire could make that call when I viewed it at full speed. Slo-mo replay definitely shows the batter threw his elbow into the pitch. Regardless, I'm still surprised that the umpire ruled the way he did on a high and tight pitch.