Pitcher loses mind after umps call balk, a breakdown

Jul 18, 2023 890.0K views 4:02
MLB Baltimore Orioles 2023

What Happened

In a tight game between two evenly matched teams, the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays are locked in a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning. Astros pitcher Ryne Stanek takes the mound, facing a crucial situation with runners in scoring position. Stanek unleashes a masterful splitter, fooling the batter and getting a key out. He then sets up the next batter with a high-octane fastball, painting the corner. As the at-bat continues, Stanek works the count to 3-2, dialing up the intensity. He attempts to get the batter to chase a nasty splitter, but the pitch misses the mark. However, as Stanek resets on the rubber, the umpire suddenly calls a balk, advancing the go-ahead run. Stanek is immediately enraged, exclaiming "What the fuck? What are you talking about? I stepped off!" The umpire explains that Stanek bent his knee before stepping off, technically violating the balk rule. Stanek argues passionately, insisting he did nothing wrong, but the call stands. Visibly rattled, Stanek struggles to regain his composure. He misses badly with his next pitch, putting another runner on base. The catcher tries to settle him down, but Stanek continues to voice his frustration, even directing a profanity-laced tirade at the umpire. In the end, Stanek is unable to escape the inning, as the Rays capitalize on the chaos to score the go-ahead run. The Astros dugout and fans share Stanek's outrage, but the umpire's call ultimately stands. As the Rays celebrate their hard-fought victory, Stanek is left to stew over the controversial balk that turned the tide of the game.

Full Transcript

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tied up at seven in the bottom of the eighth but there's runners in scoring position this

breakdown is brought to you by DraftKings nice splitter from Stanek right there really nice and

another one gets a piece of it but that's a nice pitch goes up top with the fastball to set up

another splitter not there but that one is look at the grip on this thing really cool pitch just

kind of sticks it in there so it's got a lot of traction and then when he lets go all that grip