Baseline call in Astros' wild win draws Nationals' ire - ESPN

HOUSTON — Jose Abreu scored on catcher Keibert Ruiz's throwing error in a wild ninth inning to give the Houston Astros a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.

Kyle Tucker led off with a single off Hunter Harvey (2-3), and Abreu followed with an infield single. Yainer Diaz struck out before Corey Julks walked to load the bases to set up Jake Meyers' grounder to short.

CJ Abrams threw home to get the second out, but Ruiz's throw to first went off Meyers' helmet and allowed Abreu to score.

The Nationals argued the final play with the umpires, saying that Meyers was out of the baseline, but to no avail.

Washington manager Dave Martinez began his postgame availability by holding up a picture that showed Meyers running on the grass on his way to first.

«There it is right there,» Martinez said. «Take a look at it. Is that on the line? I don't think so. I'm over this play. Seriously. They need to fix the rule. If this is what the umpire sees that he's running down the line, I'm tired of it. I'm tired of it. Fix it. We lost the game, and he had nothing to say about it because he can't make the right call. Brutal.»

Martinez said he was not given an explanation beyond that plate umpire Jeremy Riggs saw Meyers run down the line.

«I think they were disputing whether he was in the baseline or not,» Houston manager Dusty Baker said. «That's always a questionable call. Nobody really has the vantage point very good except really the home plate umpire, and he said it was nothing.»

Meyers said he ran up the line and collided with first baseman Michael Chavis' glove, adding that he was touching the base.

«I think that kind of sent the ball elsewhere,» Meyers said. «I'm not really sure, but I know we scored, and we