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The replay system and the Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system may be a saving grace for some players and managers but the human element of baseball will always be as much a part of the game as it was in the game between the two American League East rivals.
Toronto Blue Jays and second baseman Ernie Clement may have made the most of 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 during 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 chopper to Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Clement swerved to the right to avoid Henderson’s tag when the infielder threw to first, thinking the runner would be called out for stepping off the baseline.
Instead, second base umpire Nic Lentz ruled Clement safe at second, saying Clement was getting out of the way for Henderson to field the ball instead of trying to avoid the tag.
“A runner has the right to create his own path, so Clement has created his own path to prevent the pitcher from being interrupted,” Lentz told a pool reporter. “Even though Henderson reached the mark, Clement’s base path was already established there, going to second base, so he wasn’t off base.”
Henderson said the call was “very frustrating” and added that he felt it was “not a good call.”
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz had an argument on the field. He said the referees told him Henderson didn’t do enough to try to mark.
Brandon Valenzuela of the Toronto Blue Jays is cheered on 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 the glove out to tag somebody, that’s a try,” Albernaz said. “There is no rule as to how far you have to extend your arm to tag someone.”
Hunter Wendelstedt said Clement stepping out of the way was “a very gentle thing to do.”
“He was moving out of the way to allow the full-back to play in the first position,” he added.
Baltimore took a 4-2 lead with two outs after Clement’s disaster. But Jay will meet.
Orioles pitcher Shane Baz had several opportunities to get out of the inning. He allowed five runs — one earned — in 5 2/3 innings of work. He shouted at the referees when he went to the pit.
“The reason I don’t talk about that game is because I will be fined,” said Baz afterwards. “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 game, 6-4.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
