Angel Hernandez's Balk in NY & Plate Blocking in SD

Angel Hernandez called a balk on Yankees pitcher while Replay Review awarded Los Angeles a run thanks to Padres catcher Gary Sanchez's plate blocking violation in San Diego. We answer your questions about each play.

Yankees Balk

In the 6th inning of Sunday's Astros-Yankees game, HP Umpire Angel Hernandez called a balk on Yankees pitcher Wandy Peralta for failing to step directly to first base on a pickoff throw with baserunner Chas McCormick at first. Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3) regarding balks states, "It is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

Replays indicate a balk did occur as Peralta appeared to step toward home plate more than toward first base, but complicating perception was that Hernandez was the only umpire to call it. Even so, although 1B Umpire Todd Tichenor or 3B Umpire Alex Tosi called the balk, it still was a step balk.

Padres Block

With runners at the corners and one out in the top of the 2nd inning of Sunday's Dodgers-Padres game, Dodgers batter Austin Barnes bunted the ball to Padres first baseman Ji Man Choi, who charged in and flipped the ball to catcher Sanchez as Dodgers baserunner R3 Enrique Hernandez slid head-first into Sanchez's knee, ruled out by HP Umpire Gabe Morales.

After Dodgers manager Dave Roberts challenged the play, Replay Review overturned Morales' out call, deeming that catcher Sanchez did block the runner, despite the throw originating from a drawn in infielder.

Although plate blocking rule OBR 6.01(i)(2) states, "It shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)," a throw from a drawn-in infielder doesn't give a catcher carte blanche to block access to home plate. The difference is whether the catcher's blocking was intentional or unintentional.

For outfield throws, for instance, we know that catchers may be called for blocking (without the ball) whether they did it intentionally or unintentionally, but for the drawn-in infielder exception, this ruling indicates that while unintentional blocking is permitted for a drawn-in infielder throw, intentionally blocking the plate by sticking a knee out unecessarily is still illegal.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Recapping Angel Hernandez's balk in New York & Gabe Morales' block in San Diego