Marlins-Phillies Crash Play on a Legal Base Block

After Marlins pitcher Richard Bleier fielded a soft ground ball and dove on first base ahead of Phillies batter-runner Brandon Marsh's arrival, ruled an out by 1B Umpire Angel Hernandez with no obstruction (or interference) violation for blocking the runner's access to first base, Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson challenged the call, which was confirmed via Replay Review as an out.

In an extension of our prior analyses on the home plate collision rule, we again find that a fielder has the right to block the runner's path to a base if the fielder already has possession of the ball when they begin their blocking action, and are attempting to retire that runner.

In this case, pitcher Bleier fielded and maintained possession of the baseball while falling on top of first base, meaning that his low block on runner Marsh was legal: Bleier, with possession of the ball, attempted to retire the runner by legally tagging first base. Despite the significant contact between the opposing players, this is a legal play that also adheres to the "Angel is Everywhere" rule.

Video as follows:
 

Alternate Link: Replay Review confirms Angel Hernandez's out on legal base blocking collision (CCS)