A miscommunication between Mariners pitcher Wade LeBlanc and catcher Tom Murphy led to a botched defensive play against Houston. With runners on first and second, Houston up by one, LeBlanc induced a grounder that could have ended the inning with a double play. Instead, LeBlanc fired a perfect throw home, but Murphy wasn’t there. The catcher had inexplicably vacated the plate, likely trying to back up first base, which wasn’t necessary with a runner on third.
The throw sailed untouched, allowing a run to score. LeBlanc looked stunned, Murphy had to chase the ball down, and everyone’s body language looked off. It was the kind of mistake that frustrates pitchers and saps energy from the team. Murphy tried to shrug it off with a quick fist bump from teammate Cal Raleigh, but the damage was done.
They settled down the next play and turned the double play cleanly to escape the inning. Still, that one missed assignment stuck out. Everyone knew where the out should’ve gone, and they got it right the second time, but one run had already crossed. A mental mistake at the wrong time gave Houston an extra run without a hit.