PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs had plenty of heated moments during their series this week, but one of the major ones came during Wednesday’s series finale.
Aug 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
During the top of the sixth inning, with the game tied 0-0, Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a double against D-Backs pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez to get himself into scoring position. He would then move over to third as his teammate Seiya Suzuki grounded out, putting him in prime position to be the first run of the game.
As Michael Busch was mid-at-bat with two outs, Crow-Armstrong took a hefty lead down the third-base line, prompting Rodríguez to quick-pitch over to catch him off base. However, the Chicago outfielder, along with third-base coach Quintin Berry, immediately argued that Rodríguez had balked because he took his foot off the rubber before making the pitch.
Crew chief Alfonso Márquez on missed balk call in Cubs-Diamondbacks game, via @MegMontemurro:
“We just didn’t see it. After looking at the video [postgame], it looked like he stepped off.”
The play is not reviewable.pic.twitter.com/twamk4c0cj
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 26, 2026
While the umpires got together to discuss what had happened in real time, they determined there was no balk. Crow-Armstrong, Berry and manager Craig Counsell continued to argue their case, with Crow-Armstrong needing to be restrained by Berry.
Now, crew chief Alfonso Márquez admits they got it wrong.
“We just didn’t see it,” he said to the Chicago Tribune’s Meghan Montemurro. “After looking at the video [postgame], it looked like he stepped off.”
Aug 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) has to be held back by third base coach Quintin Berry (0) after a non balk call in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
If the call had been different, the Cubs would have taken a 1-0 lead against the Diamondbacks. Instead, they remained scoreless, and Arizona took the lead in the bottom half of the inning on Jordan Lawlar’s third home run of the season. The D-Backs added an insurance run in the eighth on Ryan Waldschmidt’s sacrifice fly.
Arizona would eventually go on to win the game 2-0 and take the series, making the missed balk an even bigger what-if for the Cubs. A single run in a scoreless game can change the entire complexion of a matchup, especially when it comes on a play that the umpires later acknowledge they got wrong.
Aug 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell talks to MLB umpire Alfonso Marquez (72) after a non balk call in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
It also continues the ongoing discussion about what should and shouldn’t be reviewable in MLB. While the leauge has expanded replay over the years and introduced the Automated Ball-Strike System in 2026, balks remain outside the scope of replay review.
That meant there was nothing the Cubs could do once the umpires made their decision on the field. Even though video after the game appeared to show Rodríguez stepping off the rubber, the call was final in the moment.
Aug 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after a non balk call in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The answer will remain a what-if, but Wednesday’s game provided another example of why MLB’s replay rules will continue to be debated whenever an incorrect call has a direct impact on the outcome.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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