Bryce Harper’s quick thinking on Tuesday night helped the Philadelphia Phillies score a run due to a catcher’s interference call, marking the second consecutive game they benefited from such a play. The Phillies defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-1 at Citizens Bank Park.
The previous night, Philadelphia secured a victory over Boston in 10 innings through a walk-off catcher’s interference, a rare occurrence in Major League Baseball since August 1, 1971. In that instance, Edmundo Sosa’s bat made contact with Boston catcher Carlos Narváez’s mitt with the bases loaded.
During Tuesday’s game, with runners on second and third and two outs in the first inning, Harper took advantage of Red Sox pitcher Richard Fitts’ slow windup. As Fitts started his delivery to Brandon Marsh, Harper sprinted towards home plate and slid safely past Narváez’s tag.
Though Harper did not officially steal home, umpire Edwin Jimenez ruled that Narváez interfered with the play. This decision awarded Marsh first base and Harper home plate due to what was deemed a balk.
Crew chief Quinn Wolcott explained, “[Jimenez] had Narváez stepping on or above the plate before the pitch was received, essentially,” adding that it resulted in both interference and a balk call.
According to Rule 6.01 (G) of the official rulebook: “If…the catcher or any other fielder steps on…home base without possession of the ball…the pitcher shall be charged with a balk.”
Remarkably, Narváez was called for catcher’s interference twice across consecutive games. The initial incident cost Boston their game while Tuesday’s gave Philadelphia an early lead.
Harper commented on his decision-making during the play: “I just thought, what a good opportunity with two out right there,” noting he believed he would have been safe regardless.
Wolcott compared this sequence to another unusual occurrence from 1971 involving Dodgers’ Manny Mota and Reds’ Johnny Bench which also ended in a walk-off catcher’s interference.
“Very bizarre — bizarre couple of plays,” Wolcott remarked about these rare events. He added that it highlights baseball’s unpredictability where unusual plays can arise unexpectedly.
Reflecting on similar occurrences during his career as an umpire instructor Wolcott said this was his first experience witnessing such an event firsthand outside training environments like umpire school or minor leagues
