MLB umpire Jen Pawol is under a fresh wave of criticism after a rough sequence in the Padres-Blue Jays game left both dugouts angry and social media buzzing about what many are calling one of the worst calls of the 2026 season.
The trouble started in the second inning when Pawol called a strike on a pitch from Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman. Padres batter Sung-Mun Song tried to challenge the ruling, but Pawol turned it down, saying the request came too late. That set off Padres hitting coach Steven Souza Jr., who was ejected after arguing the timing of the challenge.
The frustration didn’t stop there. As the umpiring crew gathered to sort through the situation, both teams were visibly upset. Later in the game, Pawol issued a balk call that brought in a run for the Padres, and that decision drew clear reactions from Gausman and Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
The combination of those calls has fueled the backlash around Pawol’s performance, with plenty of observers pointing to the game as another example of the inconsistency that has followed her all season. Through 2026, she has remained near the bottom of the league in balls-and-strikes accuracy, according to current metrics, and former players and analysts have publicly questioned how she handles high-pressure moments.
Pawol continues to work games as the league’s only female umpire at the major league level, but the latest controversy has only added to the noise around MLB officiating. The online debate has only grown louder, with the ejection, the balk ruling, and the overall sequence all being cited as major flashpoints.
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