ST.LOUIS -- An irritated Joe Maddon didn't hold back his criticism of home plate umpire Laz Diaz after an apparent missed strike three call in the 10th inning of the Chicago Cubs' 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
"Here's a guy ascending to the major leagues as a relief pitcher, doing a wonderful job, does his job, and doesn't get rewarded for it," Maddon said after the game. "That's what kind of pisses me off, quite frankly."
Maddon is referring to 27-year-old righty Dillon Maples, who thought he had struck out Cardinals centerfielder Harrison Bader on a 3-2 slider which clearly landed in the strike zone.