Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez met with reporters bearing printouts of the team’s final play against the Astros Wednesday night. Martinez was adamant that a throwing error by Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz was actually the result of Astros batter Jake Meyers running out of the baseline on the way to first.
“There it is right there,” Martinez said. “Take a look at it. Is that on the line? I don’t think so. I’m over this play. Seriously. They need to fix the rule. If this is what the umpire sees that he’s running down the line, I’m tired of it. I’m tired of it. Fix it. We lost the game, and he had nothing to say about it because he can’t make the right call. Brutal.”
The play occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning, shortly after Washington tied the game at four in the top of the frame. With the bases loaded and one out, Meyers hit a ground ball to shortstop CJ Abrams, who threw home for a force play. Ruiz attempted to turn the double play at first but hit Meyers’ helmet instead, sending the ball toward second base and allowing the Astros to win on a walkoff error.
Martinez argued the call with umpires, but it was not overturned. Astros manager Dusty Baker did not involve himself in the altercation on the field, admitting after the game that Martinez may have had a case for arguing the call while agreeing with the umpires’ decision.
“I think they were disputing whether he was in the baseline or not,” Baker said. “That’s always a questionable call. Nobody really has the vantage point very good except really the home plate umpire, and he said it was nothing.”
Meyers did not admit to running out of the baseline after the game, offering even less than Baker while noting that he was already on the base when he collided with first baseman Michael Chavis’ glove, the intended target for the throw.
“I think that kind of sent the ball elsewhere,” Meyers said. “I’m not really sure, but I know we scored, and we won. That’s good.”
