San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado recently attempted a hidden-ball trick during a game against the Boston Red Sox, but the maneuver did not go as planned, resulting in the Red Sox gaining an advantage. In the third inning, Jarren Duran was on third base with one out when Machado was caught in a pivotal moment. After a rundown involving Alex Bregman, Machado attempted the trick and tagged Duran, who then cleverly pointed to the mound. However, third-base umpire Scott Barry ruled a balk against the pitcher Wandy Peralta, which allowed Trevor Story to advance from second to third and gave the Red Sox a narrow 2-1 lead.
Following the game, Padres manager Mike Shildt reflected on the incident and accepted partial responsibility for the missed execution of the play. He indicated that the team had not practiced the play sufficiently during spring training. “I thought it was a great baseball play. I’ll take some responsibility,” Shildt remarked. He mentioned the importance of being prepared for all possible scenarios in spring training and recognized Machado’s baseball intelligence, despite the mistake. According to the rules, for a hidden-ball trick to be lawful, the pitcher cannot be on the rubber; otherwise, it results in a balk.
Despite the setback with the hidden-ball trick, the Padres emerged victorious, defeating the Red Sox 5-4, which improved their record to 65-52 and kept them in second place in the NL West. The team has shown strength at home but needs to improve its performance on the road as the season progresses. Enhanced road play is crucial for the Padres if they aim to be strong contenders heading into the postseason.
In related news, the Padres have recently celebrated key moments, including Ramon Laureano’s game-winning hit against the Red Sox, highlighting the team’s resilience and fighting spirit throughout this season. The Padres continue to work on their gameplay strategies, as every match will be vital leading up to the playoffs.