Manny Machado's Failed Hidden Ball Trick Costs Padres a Run

10 months agoUS
Manny Machado's Failed Hidden Ball Trick Costs Padres a RunSource: espn.com
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado's attempt at a hidden ball trick against the Boston Red Sox backfired, ultimately costing his team a run in their game on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The play occurred in the third inning and contributed to the Red Sox taking an early lead.

Key Insights

Manny Machado tried a hidden ball trick with Jarren Duran on third base.

Wandy Peralta was on the rubber, making the play illegal and resulting in a balk.

Duran scored, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.

Manager Mike Shildt took responsibility, noting it was a missed training opportunity.

The Padres lost a run due to a rule violation.

Why this matters:: This highlights the importance of knowing the baseball rulebook and practicing situational plays during training. A mental error cost the Padres a run during a close game.

In-Depth Analysis

During the third inning of Saturday's game between the Padres and Red Sox, Manny Machado attempted a hidden ball trick with Jarren Duran on third base. However, reliever Wandy Peralta was on the pitcher's rubber at the time. According to MLB rules, the pitcher cannot be on the rubber during a hidden ball trick attempt. Third base umpire Scott Barry immediately called a balk, allowing Duran to score and giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Trevor Story also advanced to third on the play. Despite the error, the Padres rallied to win the game 5-4 in 10 innings, with Ramon Laureano singling in Xander Bogaerts for the game-winning run.

FAQs

Q: What is a hidden ball trick in baseball?

A hidden ball trick is a play where a fielder, typically an infielder, deceives a runner into thinking they don't have the ball, then tags them out.

Q: Why was Machado's hidden ball trick illegal?

Because the pitcher, Wandy Peralta, was on the rubber at the time of the attempted tag. MLB rules state the pitcher cannot be on the rubber during such a play.

Q: Who was the umpire that made the balk call?

Third base umpire Scott Barry made the call.

Key Takeaways

Knowing the MLB rulebook can prevent costly mental errors.

Situational plays like the hidden ball trick require practice and awareness of all factors.

Despite the error, the Padres were able to rally and secure the win.

Manny Machado's baseball IQ is generally high, but this was a rare misstep.

This play serves as a reminder of the importance of covering all bases during training.

Discussion

Do you think more MLB teams will start practicing the hidden ball trick? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

Related Articles

⚠ Disclaimer: Yanuki provides article summaries and links for reference only. Yanuki does not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. Please review original sources and verify information independently. Managed by the Yanuki Data Engine. Full Disclaimer