The Philadelphia Phillies took Game 1 of their wild-card series against their NL East rival Marlins on Tuesday, but it wouldn’t be a Phillies game without some late drama.
With a three-run lead in the ninth, Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel allowed a lead-off double to Josh Bell to give the Marlins hope for a rally. He was able to get Jazz Chisholm to pop out the next at-bat, and a Jake Burger ground out wasn’t enough to advance Bell to third base.
Now, Kimbrel obviously had the advantage here with a three-run lead and two outs. But the Phillies closer really didn’t want to take any chance with a runner on second base against Bryan De La Cruz. So, he did something you rarely see pitchers do on purpose: He balked.
Kimbrel with the intentional balk? pic.twitter.com/Fh2rIhFOUD
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 4, 2023
Kimbrel stepped on the rubber and casually dropped the ball for a balk. He actually had to get the umpiring crew’s attention to be like, “Hey, I balked!” But in a high-pressure situation like that, Kimbrel would rather face De La Cruz with a runner on third base than risk the Marlins relaying signs from second base. It was a brilliant call from Kimbrel, actually.
Kimbrel, who doesn’t utilize the PitchCom system, had a similar intentional balk last season. And the strategy clearly worked as he got De La Cruz to ground out to end the game.
This was how Twitter reacted
You should be allowed to decline this, btw. Just stay on second. https://t.co/LfYaLr9Fim
— Joey Jones (@JJonesinGTown) October 4, 2023
I love everything about this and cannot stop watching it. https://t.co/Ks0ofpTM1p
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) October 4, 2023
Kenley does it better
pic.twitter.com/cXe0N2jiJh https://t.co/DtBhoE8bJu
— clueless joe jackson ⚾️ (@illliterate_) October 4, 2023
spiked the ball to stop the clock. https://t.co/5d1oYmq4Iy
— taylor alison d'andre swift (jail johnson). (@ilovechooch) October 4, 2023
People who don’t understand baseball will ask “why do this”. This is genius.. runner on second means nothing and also represents a chance to stealing pitch signs. https://t.co/DGh5be0oPZ
— J (@Dees_notez) October 4, 2023
watching baseball https://t.co/sqAIB8exrm
— brian (@trappedinazorb) October 4, 2023
First time I’ve ever seen something like that. Smart https://t.co/XX67pCy97S
— W00DR0W CALL (@W00dr0wCall) October 4, 2023
That was a first. Lol https://t.co/FcRqNhICIR
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) October 4, 2023
Really smart move IMO. Runner on 2nd doesn’t matter in a 2 out scenario and that runner could steal signs legally on 2nd which is an advantage to the batter. High IQ baseball right there from Kimbrel to prevent legal sign stealing https://t.co/0zwr2JduAW
— Jaden Gaines (@Gaines3Jaden) October 4, 2023
