Umpire Sam Holbrook made a horrendous, game-changing call in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday night that potentially cost the Nationals a run and led to an eventual ejection.
Trea Turner was batting against Houston Astros reliever Brad Peacock with Yan Gomes on first and the Washington Nationals leading 3-2. Turner hit a swinging bunt towards the third base side of the mound and Peacock came to field it. He threw to first on the play and his bad throw went into foul territory in right field. Turner scrambled to second and Gomes to third on the play, but it was all undone by Holbrook.
The home plate umpire called Turner out for interference, which also sent Gomes back to first.
Trea Turner was called out on this play.
"That's a potentially series changing call." – Joe @Buck pic.twitter.com/E3Po7hSNcR
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 30, 2019
Here’s where Turner was:
Yeah, this one is not going to go over well. This is… not good. pic.twitter.com/NEdMa15qo8
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) October 30, 2019
Turner started off running slightly inside the baseline but then started veering back towards first as he approached the bag.
That was a horrible, game-changing call to make there, one that never should have been made. There was nothing egregious done by Turner, he ran where he should have, and he did not impact the throw. The rule exists to prevent runners from intentionally trying to block fielders from being able to throw them out, which Turner was not trying to do. He did not negatively impact the throw. Baserunners have a right to the bag and Turner was veering towards the base. Houston got completely bailed out by Holbrook on a bad call.
The call also could not be reviewed or challenged because it is a judgment call. The Nationals attempted to protest but FOX announcers said they cannot protest a judgement call.
Thankfully Anthony Rendon clubbed a 2-run home run to make it 5-2, otherwise most people would be focused on the bad call. Nats manager Davey Martinez was later ejected between innings for complaining about the call.
