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The replay system and the Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system may be a saving grace for some players and managers, but the human element of baseball will always be a factor in the game, as it was in a game between two American League East contenders.
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement may have benefited most from the human aspect of the game in the sixth inning Sunday.
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Toronto Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement hits a three-run home run during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto on June 6, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)
Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela hit a chopper to Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Clement swung right to avoid Henderson’s tag, with the infielder throwing to first, thinking the runner would be called out for being off the baseline.
Instead, second base umpire Nic Lentz ruled Clement safe at second, saying Clement was getting out of the way for Henderson to field the ball instead of trying to avoid the tag.
“The runner has a right to establish his base path, and so Clement had established his base path to prevent the fielder from interfering,” Lentz told a pool reporter. “Although Henderson reached for a tag, Clement’s base path was already established out there and went to second base, so therefore it was not off the baseline.”
Henderson said the call was “super frustrating” and added that he felt it was “not a good call.”
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz argued on the field. He said the refs told him Henderson didn’t do enough to make a tag attempt.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Brandon Valenzuela is swarmed by teammates after a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto on June 7, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
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“I think when you stick the glove out to tag someone, it’s an attempt to tag,” Albernaz said. “There’s no rule about how far you have to stretch your arm to tag someone.”
Hunter Wendelstedt said Clement moving out of the way was a “very gentlemanly thing to do.”
“He went out of his way to allow the fielder to play to first base,” he added.
Baltimore held a 4-2 lead with two outs after the Clement accident. But the Jays would rally.
Orioles pitcher Shane Baz had several chances to get out of the inning. He allowed five runs — one earned — in 5 2/3 innings of work. He shouted at the umpires as he walked to the dugout.
“The only reason I don’t want to talk about that play is because I get fined,” Baz said afterward. “That’s the only reason.”
Toronto Blue Jays’ Brandon Valenzuela hits a home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning in Toronto on June 7, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
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Toronto won the game 6-4.
