Rangers overcome controversial call to walk off Cubs

A missed call wasn't about to spoil the Texas Rangers' opening night party.

After raising their 2023 World Series championship banner, the Rangers withstood a controversial call in the top of the ninth to secure a 4-3 comeback win over the Chicago Cubs in extra innings.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the ninth, Rangers closer José Leclerc uncorked what was ruled a wild pitch by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild. However, catcher Jonah Heim was adamant that the hitter, Miles Mastrobuoni, had fouled the pitch off. As Heim pled his case to Fairchild, Michael Busch came all the way around from second to score the go-ahead run.

Replays clearly showed Heim was correct, but the run counted because foul tips aren't reviewable.

Texas' anger was quickly forgotten in the bottom half, though, when Travis Jankowski walloped a pinch-hit home run to re-tie the game at 3-3.

Heim then played hero in the 10th when he ripped the game-winning single off Drew Smyly.

Heim's heroics made the Rangers the first reigning World Series champions to open their title defense with a walk-off win since the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Sportsnet Stats.

After winning the game, the 28-year-old backstop thanked Jankowski for getting him off the hook in the ninth.

"I take full responsibility for what happened," Heim told ESPN about the foul tip. "I let my emotions get the best of me. I should have finished the play. That's all on me. I'm glad Travis came up and tied the game there with a big swing. I'm gonna buy him a dinner or something."