Ryan Stanek was NOT happy about a balk call that led to what was the game-winning run in the Houston Astros’ 8-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.
The reliever was on the mound at Dodger Stadium with two outs and second and third. Miguel Rojas was at the plate with a 3-2 pitch when Stanek stepped off the rubber … and the second base umpire Junior Valentine called him for a balk. The run scored from third, and Stanek had no idea what he did.
Eagle-eyed viewers noted a flinch in his movement BEFORE he stepped off the rubber, but we’re here to talk about Stanek’s reaction after he got the final out of the inning. He went off on Valentine and was ejected:
The Dodgers take the lead in the 8th after Ryne Stanek is called for a balk
đź“ş: FOX pic.twitter.com/9lmd99IHlv
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 25, 2023
Ryne Stanek had some words for the umpire who called his balk. pic.twitter.com/WvKyu0irWr
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) June 25, 2023
Looked like this was the problem:
Not much but you can see Stanek flinch in slow-mo
Agree with the balk call pic.twitter.com/7Pr68AlL9i
— Tony Clements (@TonyCMKE) June 25, 2023
The balk was the right-leg stutter before he stepped off. I paused it in the first vid.#stanek #balk pic.twitter.com/Z4cVyqoCzv
— Enky-Doo (@horpht) June 25, 2023