Astros fan says he didn't interfere with Jose Altuve's potential tying home run

PHOTOS: A look at the controversial fan interference call Astros fan Troy Caldwell answers questions after having been ruled that he interfered with Red Sox rightfielder Mookie Betts on a potential Jose Altuve home run ball in Game 4 of the American League Championship series on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. Go through the photos above for a look at the controversial call ... less PHOTOS: A look at the controversial fan interference call Astros fan Troy Caldwell answers questions after having been ruled that he interfered with Red Sox rightfielder Mookie Betts on a potential Jose Altuve ... more Photo: Matt Young Photo: Matt Young Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Astros fan says he didn't interfere with Jose Altuve's potential tying home run 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

Troy Caldwell thought he had just been part of a funny moment at an Astros playoff game when his phone started blowing up with friends sending him pictures and videos of him nearly catching what he thought was a first-inning Jose Altuve home run ball.

Then, he noticed that crew chief Joe West, who was manning the right-field line in Wednesday's critical Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, had called fan interference and ruled Altuve out.

COLUMNIST: Astros wronged by call on fan interference, only on HoustonChronicle.com

As a lengthy review dragged on, Caldwell had a sinking feeling that he might be in trouble.

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The review upheld West's original call that Caldwell interfered with Red Sox rightfielder Mookie Betts. Just like that, a potential game-tying home run was ruled an out. Two batters later, the Red Sox got out of the inning without suffering any damage except for what Caldwell was experiencing in the front row of Section 152.

"I'm going to need security to escort me out of here if the Astros don't come back to win this," said Caldwell, who grew up in Houston but currently lives in Atlanta and flew to town just for this game.

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West said neither the ball nor Betts' glove had crossed the railing when the interference took place.

"Here's the whole play," West said. "They hit the ball to right field, he (Betts) jumped up to try to make a catch, a fan interfered with him over the playing field. That is why I called spectator interference."

Caldwell disagreed.

"I didn't reach over the wall; I was on this side of the line," Caldwell said. "I don't understand what happened. I know the rules, and I didn't reach over the line."

Rule 3.16 states that: "No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence" unless "it is clearly intentional." West says that rule isn't applicable, because - in his view - Betts didn't reach into the stands.

"I think you know what I think of Joe West right about now," Caldwell said.

At least early in Wednesday's game, Caldwell had the support of Astros fans sitting around him, who were busier yelling at West than they were bothering Caldwell.

Pinkerton's Barbecue sent out a tweet during the game urging fans around Caldwell to buy him a beer and offered him free barbecue.

"I promise you I didn't do anything wrong," Caldwell said.