The Nationals lost a tough one to the Astros after a controversial no-call on what looked like clear runner interference. With the infield in and bases loaded, they got the first out at home and tried to turn a double play at first. But the throw nailed the runner in the head. The runner was not in the proper running lane, which by rule should be interference, but the umpires let it go. That allowed the Astros to score and walk off with the win.
Davey Martinez was furious because the rule seemed clear. The batter never established himself in the runner’s lane, and that’s been called interference plenty of times before. Martinez has been burned by this exact rule in the past—most notably in the World Series when Trey Turner was called out for much the same thing. This time, he expected the call to go his way, but didn’t get it. He asked the umpires to review it, but they said it wasn’t reviewable. Frustrated, Martinez pointed out the runner was on the grass the whole time, but the umps stuck with their decision.
The crew missed it. The home plate umpire was focused on the plate and the catch, and didn’t have a good angle on the lane violation. It was a shaky situation all around, and the lack of review only made it worse. The Nationals did everything right on the field to get the necessary outs, but the game slipped away because of how the rule is written and enforced. Martinez has seen enough and wants the rule changed.