Controversial Call Aggravates Chicago Cubs in Loss to Diamondbacks

In Phoenix, frustration gripped Chicago Cubs player Pete Crow-Armstrong. The tension stemmed from a disputed call during their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Crow-Armstrong had doubled off left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez in the sixth inning of a scoreless matchup. As he advanced to third base, the Cubs saw a chance to score. His movements during Rodríguez’s pitch seemed to cause a balk, which would have allowed the Cubs to score. However, the umpires decided there was no balk, leaving the Cubs frustrated in their 2-0 defeat.

The umpires, led by Alfonso Márquez, had a discussion and maintained the no-balk decision. This decision provoked Crow-Armstrong, who argued with third-base umpire Malachi Moore. His anger was calmed by third-base coach Quintin Berry. Even after the situation ebbed, Crow-Armstrong was displeased with second-base umpire Lance Barksdale approaching him post-discussion.

I saw four umpires miss a pretty obvious play. Crow-Armstrong expressed. I executed, and it would have been nice if the umpires did the same.

Post-game, Márquez confessed to missing the balk call, which could have given the Cubs a lead. The balk sequence was not eligible for video review, adding to the controversy. Despite a walk by Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner’s strikeout ended the inning.

Later, Diamondbacks’ Jordan Lawlar hit a home run, followed by another run in the eighth inning. The Cubs’ offense struggled throughout, ending with a mere two hits and concluding a 2-4 trip that included close losses.

They flat out missed it, manager Craig Counsell stated. It’s obvious to everybody on TV. They missed it.

Crow-Armstrong, hearing the postgame acknowledgment of the mistake, remained unsatisfied. He believed it should have been admitted on the field. Reflecting on his own performance, he criticized himself for going 1-for-12 in the series. He recognized his own role in the team’s shortcomings, expressing his frustrations openly.

The Cubs, with solid performances from pitchers Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, and Matthew Boyd, allowed only one run over 20 innings. The team looks to refocus with an upcoming off day before taking on the Cincinnati Reds and the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.