With a 6-3 lead in the eighth inning, the Marlins and Richard Bleier were set to close out a nice win on the road against the Mets (-1.5) on Tuesday night. Evidently, no one told Bleier or the Marlins that they would run into some extremely mystifying balk issues.
You see, when New York’s Pete Alonso tried to ignite a late rally, first base umpire John Tumpane called Bleier for a balk. Okay, sure. It happens. Then he called him for another balk. Uh, alright? But if Bleier broke the rule, he broke the rule, I guess. Then Tumpane called the pitcher for another balk. In one at-bat.
Okay, alright. Let’s slow down. What happened in this confusing scene at Citi Field?
Bleier, who has never been called for a balk in his career, has been called for two in less than an inning pic.twitter.com/2IAI2rPQME
— Shea Station (@shea_station) September 28, 2022
I’ve never seen someone balk three times in an inning. Wow. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/9aAcmesgW0
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) September 28, 2022
You know an umpire’s call is weird (and probably a little out of bounds) if even the TV broadcasters are stumped as to what constitutes calling a balk three times out of the blue. (Note: Marlins manager Don Mattingly would be ejected for arguing the rulings.)
For reference, the MLB rule defines balks like this:
A balk occurs when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound that the umpire deems to be deceitful to the runner(s).
I mean, there was one guy on base (who would eventually score thanks to all the balks) for Bleier. Do we really believe he made an egregious illegal motion three times in an inning? You know, three more than he’s ever been called for balks in his entire career?
Yeah, this was the definition of an umpire probably taking way too many liberties with a clearly defined but very subjective rule in practice. For what it’s worth, the Marlins went on to win 6-4. But I still fully understand why Bleier was so upset.
MLB fans couldn't believe that Bleier got three balk calls in one inning
What? https://t.co/8FbtF6P8FU
— Alex (MN 6 pls lose BAL) (@StroudToSEA) September 28, 2022
This umpire should be fired. What are we doing? He balked McNeil to 2nd 3rd and home during the same AB on a guy who hasn’t balked in his major league career. 🤡show https://t.co/ap2h40lm2Z
— 𝘑𝘦𝘧𝘧 𝘔𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳 (@JeffMoyer41) September 28, 2022
I was today years old when I officially had no idea what a balk even is anymore https://t.co/VDXKY0d2Md
— Moniz (@mikemoniz81) September 28, 2022
@MLB: Speed up, pitchers!
MLB umpires: Not so fast, my friend!This is not a balk. https://t.co/W7OX3LEwJB
— Lee (@_leegreen) September 28, 2022
I don't see any balk, wow. https://t.co/TAmeHDYHcg
— Jules (@JulesSugoi) September 28, 2022
Still haven’t seen a balk. If that’s a balk, then the umps have missed a bunch all season!! https://t.co/JaUDN0MCo0
— Shane Wilson (@sshanewilson) September 28, 2022
This guy for the Marlins is 35 years old and had never been called for a balk. Now he gets called for three is one inning.
I'm pretty sure I've never seen that before.
— Rex Beyers (@Rex_Beyers) September 28, 2022
Three balks in a single inning for Richard Bleier who is doing the same exact thing mechanically that he has done for seven years out of the stretch.
Absolutely embarrassing ump show in Queens right now.
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) September 28, 2022
