Throw hits ump to prevent run from scoring, a breakdown

Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres steps to the plate in the top of the 8th inning, with his team trailing the New York Mets by two runs. With two runners on base, Tatis laces a double down the left field line, and the Padres attempt a double steal. Mets catcher Tomás Ramírez fires the throw to second base, but it bounces and takes a bad hop, heading straight for home plate umpire Will Little. The umpire is able to block the errant throw with his body, preventing a run from scoring. Padres manager Bob Melvin immediately calls for a timeout to argue the play. "Got me right here," Melvin tells the umpire, indicating where the throw hit him. "Umpire saved a run," Ramírez acknowledges. "That ball was headed to left field, but instead, bam." Melvin continues to voice his displeasure, saying "Well, that costs us a run." Ramírez interjects, "I think he was out," to which Melvin replies, "Well, yeah, the guy could have caught it. And then, uh, yeah, the guy could have caught it, but he would have been safe anyway." The play occurred with the Mets leading 4-2 in the crucial late-season matchup between the two National League playoff contenders. The Padres were threatening to cut into the Mets' lead, but the umpire's heads-up play prevented a run from scoring and ultimately preserved the two-run advantage for the home team. Both managers engage in a brief back-and-forth, acknowledging the unusual nature of the play and its impact on the game state. The Mets would go on to hold on for the 4-2 victory, further solidifying their position atop the NL East standings. For the Padres, it was a frustrating missed opportunity to chip away at the Mets' lead in a tightly contested postseason race.