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The replay system and Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system may be a saving grace for some players and managers, but baseball’s human element will always be a factor in the game, as it was in a game between two American League East contenders.
Toronto Blue Jays and second baseman Ernie Clement perhaps benefited the most from the human aspect of the game in the sixth inning on Sunday.
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Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a three-run home run in 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 helicopter against Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Clement swerved to his right to avoid Henderson’s tag with the infielder throwing first, thinking the runner would be out for being out of the baseline.
Instead, second base umpire Nic Lentz ruled Clement safe at second base, saying Clement was stepping aside to allow Henderson to field the ball instead of trying to avoid the tag.
“The runner has the right to establish his base path, and so Clement established his base path to avoid any potential interference with the defensive player,” Lentz told a pool reporter. “Even though Henderson looked for a tag, Clement’s base path was already established there, going to second base, so he wasn’t off the baseline.”
Henderson said the call was “super frustrating” and added that he felt like it was “not a good call.”
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz argued on the field. He said the referees told him Henderson didn’t do enough to try to score.
Brandon Valenzuela of the Toronto Blue Jays is sprayed by his 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 take your glove out to touch someone, it’s an attempt to tag,” Albernaz said. “There is no rule about how far you have to reach out to touch someone.”
Hunter Wendelstedt said Clement getting out of the way was a “very courteous thing to do.”
“He was stepping aside to allow the defensive player to make the play toward first base,” he added.
Baltimore held a 4-2 lead with two outs after Clement’s calamity. But the Jays would rally.
Orioles pitcher Shane Baz had a better chance of getting out of the inning. He allowed five runs – one earned – in 5 2/3 innings of work. He yelled at the umpires as he headed to the dugout.
“The only reason I’m not going to talk about this piece is because I’m going to get fined,” Baz said afterward. “That’s the only reason.”
Brandon Valenzuela of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning in Toronto on June 7, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
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Toronto won the match 6-4.
