In a dramatic turn of events, umpire C.B. Bucknor found himself at the center of controversy once again as his questionable strike call concluded Saturday's Cardinals-White Sox game, giving Chicago a narrow 6-5 victory in 10 innings. The controversial call came after a lengthy rain delay, further adding to the frustration felt by the Cardinals.

The Cardinals had a golden opportunity to secure a victory in the 10th inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. However, their momentum was interrupted by the rain delay, lasting three hours and three minutes. As play resumed, the White Sox brought in left-hander Tanner Banks to pitch, prompting Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol to send in right-handed hitter Ivan Herrera to pinch-hit for Nolan Gorman.

Herrera stepped up to the plate with confidence, only to be left bewildered by the outside pitch called a strike by Bucknor. The young Cardinals player appeared stunned, glancing at the umpire before crouching in disbelief. Marmol expressed his disappointment with the call, highlighting the mismatch between the left-handed pitcher and the right-handed batter that favored the Cardinals.

This is not the first time Bucknor has come under fire for controversial calls. Just five days prior, the umpire drew criticism during a game between the Orioles and Yankees when he called a low pitch a strike, infuriating former Orioles star Jim Palmer, who was broadcasting the game. The Cardinals TV announcers on Saturday also expressed their disbelief at Bucknor's call, expressing frustration at the inconsistency.

Marmol and Bucknor already had a strained relationship prior to this incident. In August 2022, the two engaged in a heated argument over a call, and Marmol accused Bucknor of refusing to shake his hand during a pregame meeting at home plate during the following spring training. Marmol's remarks in February 2023 emphasized his negative opinion of Bucknor's conduct and sportsmanship.

The controversial call further highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the accountability and consistency of umpires in baseball. As fans and players continue to voice their frustration with questionable calls, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed in the future.

Despite the controversy, the White Sox celebrated their hard-fought victory over the Cardinals, while the Cardinals were left to ponder what could have been after a game that was determined by a controversial decision rather than the pitcher-hitter matchup they had anticipated.