Astros' Hinch rips umps after loss: I'd 'like to play with 27 outs'

The Houston Astros have looked far more human in recent weeks, going 3-7 over their last 10 games. It hasn't put their division lead in jeopardy, but that doesn't mean the team isn't getting frustrated, especially with umpires.

Manager A.J. Hinch ripped umpires following Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks after left fielder Marwin Gonzalez was called out on a questionable third strike. While he didn't blame the loss on the call, he did suggest Gonzalez was treated unfairly, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

"I'd also like to play with 27 outs and not get at-bats taken away from us. You look at Marwin Gonzalez's last at-bat, there's plenty of pitches we could go back to and basically say he got the at-bat taken away from him," Hinch said. "I've always said to worry about yourself, worry about your team and go compete the best you can and then you walk out there and they don't have to throw strikes to get you out. It's ridiculous. I know we're not supposed to talk about the umpires. These guys are good men. But honestly, today, to have the 27th out be taken away and play with 26, it ain't fair. It's not right."

The Astros were limited to four hits and a walk on the afternoon, so more had to go right other than fixing one blown call. But Hinch added that as long as there are outs to play with, his team has a chance.

"Marwin gets to take a strikeout to end the game. We could have built an inning after that. I'm tired of that. I'm tired of our guys getting taken to task for knowing the strike zone. That's not the reason we lost today, not the reason we had a tough week, but it's garbage when you start getting at-bats taken away from you."

Hinch isn't the first person to be critical of umpires this week. He follows Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, who on Tuesday said ump Angel Hernandez should find another job. Four managers were ejected from games on Wednesday for confrontations with umpires, including Chicago Cubs skipper Joe Maddon who went absolutely nuclear.