The San Diego Padres are trying to hold on to the final Wild Card berth in the National League, so every game is important — especially when they have a series against the lowly Nationals.
So, when they dropped a game the way they did on Saturday night, you can understand the frustration from manager Bob Melvin. After all, he got ejected before umpire Paul Emmel could even turn off his microphone.
The fiery exchange took place during the seventh inning when it appeared that the Padres had preserved the tie game off a strong throw from Juan Soto. On the field, it was ruled that Cesar Hernandez was thrown out at the plate. But after a challenge from Washington, Hernandez was granted the run due to Austin Nola blocking the plate. Melvin, as you probably expected, was not pleased.
Padres manager Bob Melvin came out to argue this replay review so fast that the umpire didn't even have time to turn off his mic off pic.twitter.com/OikfRaoJk8
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 14, 2022
MLB rules are pretty clear when it comes to replay reviews. It’s an automatic ejection to argue the announced decision. But Melvin hopped out of the dugout so quickly that we could hear Emmel over the PA say, “Bob, you can’t — boom! — I know, I know.”
To be fair to Melvin, the call itself was questionable. The rule is in place to protect the catcher and avoid collisions, but Nola did appear to leave a path to the plate for Hernandez as required.
As expected, MLB fans had plenty of thoughts on the whole sequence.
This was how Twitter reacted
“Bob you can’t… boom” 😂😂😂 https://t.co/gMxFE2UQRR
— Brian call security (@leechains215) August 14, 2022
This play is considered illegal but it’s completely ok for a defensive player to lay in front of 2B injuring a player sliding into 2B. Makes sense https://t.co/vgjORpy6gV
— A.J. (@AJEarley4) August 14, 2022
MLB needs to eliminate this insanely stupid rule now before the postseason. https://t.co/CaRptFqvE7
— Stirrups Now! (@uniformcritic) August 14, 2022
HOW IS THIS BLOCKING THE PLATE https://t.co/Bs4I3pCZG5
— WhiskeyyXhekk 🇨🇦 (@whiskeyyjackk) August 14, 2022
This is three times in, what, two weeks that absolutely horrible calls have been made here? Orioles, Blue Jays, now Padres.
This rule needs to be overhauled. It is supposed to protect the catcher but instead is being used to punish them. https://t.co/iHsU7GP9j5— Heather Linington-Noble (@AlainnFocail) August 14, 2022
Stupid rule, great moment. https://t.co/rw0IEiRtR5
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) August 14, 2022
Not being able to block the plate will always be mind boggling to me. And all because Buster Posey was caught in the wrong position https://t.co/SQyddy0wRb
— RYoung88 (@r_young88) August 14, 2022
the “boom” as he tosses him lmaooo https://t.co/SKpFZ4QBna
— Trill Foden (@jjlinnjj) August 14, 2022
What has happened to Baseball man? The runner is safe because the catcher was “in violation”. Such a terrible rule. #MLB https://t.co/hxWG7v4xj8
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) August 14, 2022
The call ended up being the difference in the Nationals’ 4-3 win.
