Cubs’ Ben Zobrist makes pitch for electronic strike zone

In theory, it could have been one of the best comebacks of the season for the Chicago Cubs. Instead, the game left Cubs infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist frustrated.

The Cubs trailed the Diamondbacks 6-0 heading to the ninth inning of their game Saturday in Phoenix. Chicago pushed two runs across and had runners on first and third when Zobrist stepped to the plate with two outs. But he struck out looking to end the game on a pitch down in the zone, and Chicago lost 6-2.

Zobrist disagreed with home plate umpire Mark Wegner’s call. Here is the video of the play from Fox Sports’ C.J. Nitkowski:

After the game, Zobrist told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers that he would like to see an electric strike zone in use.

“If we want to change something like that, we’re going to have an electronic strike zone because human beings are going to make mistakes,” Zobrist told Rogers. “Tough situation for that to happen, but he’s probably going to look at it and not be too happy with himself.

“That’s something the league is going to have to look at, when you start ending games and games turn on one pitch like that. It’s an unfortunate situation, and now that we have the technology, we should probably get it right.”

Cubs manager Joe Maddon told the Chicago Tribune that Wegner admitted he missed the call before Sunday’s game.

“The more situations that occur, the more scrutiny involved, (an electronic strike zone) may get there,” Maddon said. “But I don’t know what the perception is among the umpires. The things they have to say will mean a lot. Of course, what Major League Baseball thinks regarding all of that.

“A game like last night screams for maybe challenging the pitch, I don’t know.”

This story was originally published August 14, 2017 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Cubs’ Ben Zobrist makes pitch for electronic strike zone."