Nats' Martinez refuses to call out ump over balls and strikes during Game 5

Home plate umpire Lance Barksdale came under a bit of scrutiny after missing a few calls during the Houston Astros' 7-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in Game 5 of the World Series.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez wasn't laying the blame at the umpire's feet after the game, though. Instead, he sang the crew's praises.

"These guys are the best, that's why they're umpiring in the World Series," Martinez said, according to ESPN's Marly Rivera.

Outfielder Victor Robles was called out on a questionable third strike when the game was still within reach in the seventh.

"It was a very important at-bat, and I've always said we're all human," Robles said, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN. "We all make mistakes. I felt like he might've made a mistake on that pitch, but that's part of being human."

That wasn't the only missed call on the night by Barksdale, who made some other borderline judgements.

Despite the rough night behind the dish, Nationals veteran Ryan Zimmerman told reporters that the umpiring wasn't the reason they lost.

"Lance did not lose us the game tonight," Zimmerman said, according to NBC4 Sports. "Gerrit Cole beat us."

Game 6 will go Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.