Mattingly moving on from frustrating calls

MIAMI -- In the heat of the moment on Monday night, Miami manager Don Mattingly made some critical comments about the umpiring after the Marlins lost 7-3 to the Mets at Marlins Park.

On Tuesday, Mattingly said he had spoken with Major League Baseball, and he’s ready to turn the page. The Miami manager also expressed regret about insinuating there may be any impartiality against his club.

“We talked to the league,” Mattingly said. “We'll kind of leave it at that. You’ve got to move on in this situation. You really don’t want to let this linger. Just like we ask the players to do, to keep moving on and turning the page. That one is over, and we move on.”

Monday was a frustrating night in general. In the second inning, Miami left-hander Caleb Smith, according to Statcast’s Gameday tracking data, had would-be third strike calls on both Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil that were called balls. Instead of two strikeouts, both players delivered hits, and New York scored a run.

And in the ninth inning, Juan Lagares was hit by a Drew Steckenrider pitch while attempting to bunt. The Marlins felt Lagares didn’t pull the bat back, but home-plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled the New York center fielder was struck on the hand. It went in the books as a hit-by-pitch instead of foul strike, which would have been a bunt foul for strike three.

The play went to replay and the call was upheld.

Postgame Monday, Mattingly said: “I guess I’m not supposed to complain about calls or whatever. But the league needs to look at it, because it was shaky tonight.”

Mattingly on Tuesday said he let his emotions get the best of him.

“Honestly, I was fairly emotional after the game,” Mattingly said. “And that plays into kind of your words. I think in general, there’s going to be calls every day that you like or don’t like, in general, both ways.

The comment Mattingly walked back Tuesday was: “I understand the whole ‘Marlins aren’t supposed to be good this year’,” Mattingly said Monday night. “I guess it’s okay to pile on.”

On Tuesday, Mattingly said, “I think the one area I regret last night is really just going too far, a little bit too far. I know the umpires all around the league are trying to get it right. It’s not something where there’s a conspiracy or anything against the Marlins. That’s probably an area I regret, kind of going that far.”

Shifting leaders

When it comes to defensive alignments, the Marlins are playing the percentages with their infield formulations. That’s why they’ve used shifts frequently during this homestand.

In fact, entering Tuesday night, according to Fangraphs, the Marlins are tops in the Majors in employing infield shifts. Miami shifted 94 batters, with Arizona second with only 67 batters shifted against. A year ago, the Marlins finished 12th in the Majors in total shifting.

“We’re basically just trying to put guys in the best spot,” Mattingly said. “I know when balls roll through that side over there, we question it. Everyone kind of questions it, but you forget about it when you’re catching ground balls right at somebody.”

In most of their alignments against left-handed hitters, third baseman Brian Anderson shifts to short right field, with the shortstop sliding closer to third base, often leaving the traditional shortstop spot vacated. Second baseman Starlin Castro moves closer to second base.

“You’re going to play what the data tells you to do, and with respect to the pitcher, and what he’s trying to do that night,” Mattingly said.