Braves catcher Sean Murphy called for interference that brings home Phillies run in Game 1 of NLDS

Updated Oct. 7, 2023 11:04 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves catcher Sean Murphy was called for interference in the eighth inning of the NL Division Series opener against Philadelphia on Saturday night, bringing home the final fun for the Phillies in their 3-0 win.

The call was made by plate umpire Brian O’Nora with J.T. Realmuto batting with the bases loaded and two outs, forcing in Trea Turner.

It was hard to see any contact, but Realmuto looked back at O'Nora after he fouled off a pitch from Pierce Johnson and pointed to Murphy. After O'Nora indicated the interference call, Realmuto clapped as he jogged to first. Murphy slung back his head in disappointment but didn't complain.

The call was challenged by Atlanta, but it was upheld by a replay review. Some fans at Truist Park threw trash on the field in protest.

“I didn't feel it,” Murphy said, “but I heard it.”

Braves manager Brian Snitker said the quick reaction of Realmuto — immediately turning to the ump — and Murphy's acceptance of the call indicated that contact was made.

“Murph didn’t say anything, and I don’t know that a hitter reacts like that ... things happen too quick for a guy to react like that if it didn’t happen," Snitker said.

There were 96 catcher interference calls in the majors this year, the highest total since at least 1974. That's up from 74 in 2022 and 64 in 2021, according to Sportradar.

Under MLB’s catcher interference rule, the batter is awarded first base if any fielder interferes with him during a pitch. It happens most often when a hitter gets a piece of the catcher’s glove with his bat.

When catcher interference is called, the play is allowed to continue in case the outcome is more advantageous for the offensive team than the interference. If the interference call is accepted, the catcher is charged with an error. The hitter is marked down for a plate appearance but not an at-bat, and reaching first doesn’t affect the player’s on-base percentage.

One of the biggest factors in the increase is pitch-framing metrics that look favorably on catchers who receive the ball closer to the plate.

Murphy, who turned 29 on Wednesday, is highly regarded for his catching skills. He won a Gold Glove in 2021 with Oakland.

But this was an especially tough night for the Braves catcher, who slumped badly in the second half of the season after making the All-Star Game for the first time.

Murphy went 0 for 3 at the plate, was charged with an error and couldn't prevent the Phillies from stealing five bases — a Philadelphia record for the postseason and the most by any team in a playoff game since 2014.

Snitker said it wasn't entirely Murphy's fault.

“Murph made a couple of really good throws," the manager said. “Overall, they’re very opportunistic, and they've got a lot of guys with a lot of success in stealing bases, too. We’re going to have to do a better job holding the ball and things like that.”

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