Chicago – In a tightly contested game at Chase Field on Wednesday, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong lost his composure after what he believed was a clear balk by Arizona Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez. The incident occurred in the top of the sixth inning, when Crow‑Armstrong was on third base and appeared ready to sprint home.
What happened on the field
With the score still tied at 0‑0, Rodriguez delivered a quick pitch to Michael Busch. Crow‑Armstrong argued that Rodriguez had stepped off the rubber, which under the rules constitutes a balk and would have awarded the Cubs an automatic run. The umpiring crew, led by crew chief Alfonso Márquez, conferred and ultimately ruled that no balk had occurred.
Frustrated, Crow‑Armstrong began shouting from the basepaths. Cubs third‑base coach Quintin Berry stepped in to hold the player back, while manager Craig Counsell later intervened to calm the situation. No ejection was issued.
Umpire’s admission
After the game, Márquez told MLB.com that, upon reviewing video, it appeared Rodriguez had indeed stepped off the rubber, and that any of the four umpires on the crew could have called the balk. “We just didn’t see it,” he said, acknowledging the missed call.
Game outcome
Despite the controversy, the Diamondbacks broke the deadlock in the bottom of the sixth, scoring a run and later adding another in the eighth to secure a 2‑0 victory. Crow‑Armstrong recorded one of Chicago’s two hits in the loss.
The defeat marks the Cubs’ fourth loss in six games, narrowing their lead in the National League Wild Card race to a two‑game cushion over the Philadelphia Phillies, who have won eight of their last ten contests.
Impact on the team
While the missed balk did not change the final result, the incident highlights the intensity of the Cubs’ pursuit of a playoff spot and the importance of accurate officiating in close games. The team will look to rebound in its next series, hoping to regain momentum and protect its position in the Wild Card standings.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
