The San Diego Padres faced an unusual moment during their game against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday when third baseman Manny Machado attempted a hidden-ball trick that led to a costly error. In the third inning, with Jarren Duran on third base and one out, Machado, who still had the ball from a previous play, tagged Duran. However, the attempt resulted in a balk call by third base umpire Scott Barry when Duran pointed to the mound, allowing him to score and giving Boston a 2-1 lead.
Padres manager Mike Shildt acknowledged the mistake, explaining that during a hidden-ball trick, the pitcher cannot be on the rubber. “I thought it was a great baseball play. I’ll take some responsibility,” Shildt remarked, recognizing that this was a detail not covered adequately in spring training. He praised Machado’s baseball intelligence but noted the technical error that occurred.
Masataka Yoshida further capitalized on the situation, hitting a grounder that brought in Trevor Story, pushing the Red Sox lead to 3-1. Despite this setback, the Padres showcased resilience, tying the game 3-3 and eventually going ahead 4-3 in the fifth inning. The game concluded with a thrilling finish as Ramón Laureano singled in former Red Sox player Xander Bogaerts, helping San Diego secure a 5-4 victory in 10 innings.
This thrilling game exemplified the unpredictable nature of baseball, highlighting both the risks and rewards of creative plays like the hidden-ball trick. It serves as a reminder that continual learning and adaptation are crucial in sports, especially in a game as strategic as baseball.