What Kansas City Royals said about controversial balk call vs. Milwaukee Brewers
The Kansas City Royals battled the Milwaukee Brewers into extra innings Wednesday.
The Royals (2-4) fell 3-2 in 11 innings, but not before some late-game controversy ensued at American Family Field.
In the 10th, Royals closer Carlos Estévez came on from the bullpen. He threw a wild pitch and allowed a double to Brewers star Jackson Chourio. Eventually, the score was tied, 2-2, with runners at first and second and no one out.
Then, one moment caught the attention of home plate umpire John Tumpane, who called a balk on Estévez.
What happened?
The umpire may have thought Estévez turned his shoulder before coming to a complete stop against Brewers catcher William Contreras. Tumpane called a balk that moved two Brewers into scoring position.
“He said I turned my shoulders to second,” Estévez later revealed of his conversation with the ump. “I just came from in there watching it, and I didn’t see it.
“I’ll respect it, but I know I didn’t turn. I’m pretty critical, but I did not turn to second. It is what it is. Maybe he got something from the way I turned to second. I turned quick.”
Estévez protested the call on the field and KC manager Matt Quatraro left the dugout to ask for clarification. The FanDuel Sports Network broadcasters were confused, and plenty — including former Royals star Eric Hosmer — expressed their frustration on social media.
“It didn’t stand out to me in the moment,” Quatraro said after the game. “I mean, he (KC’s closer) looked back at second base.”
That apparent flinch nearly cost the Royals the game in the 10th: The Brewers loaded the bases with no one out, but Estévez worked free of trouble with a lineout, strikeout of Jake Bauers and flyout from Vinny Capra.
“I’ve just got to make my pitches,” Estévez said. “I got out of it anyways. You know, you get a little mad when they are telling you something you did that you didn’t.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM with the headline "What Kansas City Royals said about controversial balk call vs. Milwaukee Brewers."
