The Astros pulled off a sneaky hidden-ball trick that caught Angels outfielder Taylor Ward completely off guard. After a routine single to right field, Kyle Tucker tossed the ball to José Altuve, who casually acted like nothing was happening. Martín Maldonado, the Astros catcher, crept behind Ward at first base without drawing attention. While Altuve faked a few relaxed throws, Maldonado waited for the perfect moment, holding the real ball. As Ward stepped off the bag, thinking the play was over, Maldonado tagged him on the heel right before it touched back down. The umpires originally ruled Ward safe, but after a challenge from the Astros, the call was overturned.
The whole sequence looked rehearsed. Altuve’s fake-out and Maldonado’s stealth made it clear this wasn’t just a fluke. Ward looked shocked once he realized what happened, especially since his first base coach gave a vague warning that didn’t seem helpful. The coach mouthed “back back” but didn’t seem urgent, and Ward stepped off anyway. He even reached out once, thinking he might get the ball from Altuve, which just made things worse. After the call was reversed, the Astros bench celebrated. Maldonado got pats on the head and back. Altuve got some too. Ward was left looking confused and frustrated, wondering how he got caught like that. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, everyone remembers it.