Astros get the last laugh after Red Sox's lack of awareness changed the game

The installation of the ABS challenge system takes away "the human element" of the game, but egregious balls and strikes calls can now be overturned. Between that, and the previous ability to use replay to challenge other calls, an umpire's skill is becoming less and less important. As the Houston Astros just witnessed, however, umpires can still find a way to screw up, and the Boston Red Sox can only really blame themselves.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Astros outfielder Cam Smith was facing Red Sox starter Brayan Bello with runners at the corners and two outs while nursing a four-run lead. It was a big moment in the game, but somehow, umpire Mark Wegner lost track of the count and missed what should have been a strikeout.

Neverthelss, the Red Sox were clearly not paying attention, either, and the at-bat continued uninterrupted. Smith's eventual walk to load the bases didn't end up resulting in any more runs, but that doesn't mean that plate appearance didn't change the complexion of the game.

The Red Sox only have themselves to blame for umpire's mistake vs. Astros

There was clearly nothing insidious at play. The ump made a mistake, and in the moment, everyone involved just didn't notice. Smith's job is to swing the bat, not call balls and strikes. Boston's coaching staff should've on top of things. While Yainer Diaz grounded out to end the inning without another run scoring, Smith's walk forced the Red Sox to pull Bello and go to their bullpen earlier than they would've preferred.

For the Red Sox fans whining about the unfairness of it all, you need to look in the mirror. Boston has a veteran manager in Alex Cora who has prides himself on in-game awareness and attention to detail. He knows as well as anyone that it's on the teams to keep track of the count as well, and the Red Sox fell short. The play also didn't cost the Red Sox a win or even a run.

It's telling that no one seems to be dragging Wegner through the mud. Bello was quoted after the game saying he didn't notice at the time, Smith obviously isn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth, and Wegner acknowledged the mistake after the game.

That won't stop the internet warriors and conspiracy theorists from shouting into the void, but this could have all been avoided if the Red Sox had been doing their jobs to begin with.