SouthernWorldwide.com – The human element in baseball continues to play a significant role, even with the advent of advanced replay systems and automated ball-strike technology. This was vividly demonstrated in a recent game between two American League East rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles.
The Toronto Blue Jays and their second baseman, Ernie Clement, found themselves at the center of a controversial call in the sixth inning that ultimately benefited their team.
The play unfolded when Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela hit a ground ball towards Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson. As Henderson fielded the ball and prepared to throw to first base, Clement, the runner heading to second, swerved to his right.
Henderson’s intention was to tag Clement, who he believed had veered out of his baseline. However, second base umpire Nic Lentz ruled Clement safe at second base.
Lentz explained his decision to a pool reporter, stating that the runner has the right to establish their base path. He clarified that Clement was not trying to avoid a tag but rather making way for Henderson to field the ball.
“The runner has the right to establish his base path, and so Clement had established his base path to avoid the fielder from potential interference,” Lentz said. “Even though Henderson reached out for a tag, Clement’s base path was already established out there, going to the second base, so therefore it was not out of the baseline.”
The ruling did not sit well with the Orioles. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson expressed his frustration, calling the decision “super frustrating” and deeming it “not a great call.”
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz vehemently argued the call on the field. He reported that the umpires informed him that Henderson had not made a sufficient effort to tag the runner.
“I think when you stick your glove out to tag somebody, that’s an attempted tag,” Albernaz stated. “There’s no rule about how far you have to extend your arm to tag somebody.”
Another umpire involved, Hunter Wendelstedt, characterized Clement’s action as a “very gentlemanly thing to do.”
“He was getting out of the way to allow the fielder to make the play towards first base,” Wendelstedt added, supporting Lentz’s interpretation.
At the time of the controversial call, the Orioles held a 4-2 lead with two outs in the inning. However, the Blue Jays managed to mount a comeback.
Orioles pitcher Shane Baz had opportunities to escape the inning but ultimately could not. He allowed five runs, with only one being earned, during his 5 2/3 innings of work. He was seen expressing his displeasure towards the umpires as he left the field.
Following the game, Baz declined to comment on the specific play, citing the potential for a fine from the league.
“The only reason I’m not going to talk about that play is because I will get fined,” Baz said afterward. “That’s the only reason.”
In the end, the Toronto Blue Jays secured a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, with the controversial call in the sixth inning playing a significant role in the game’s outcome.
