Matthew Boyd Called for Balk on Pickoff Try, Craig Counsell Ejected in Cubs’ Loss: ‘The Umpire Got Fooled’

Matthew Boyd allows big HR and is called for costly balk as Chicago Cubs waste early lead in 10-inning loss

The Chicago Cubs finished an ugly 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base Friday night in a 6-5, 10-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners.

Counsell Ejected on Birthday as Cubs Fall to Mariners

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell was ejected from the game on his birthday as the Cubs suffered a loss to the Seattle Mariners. What should have been a celebratory day for Counsell turned sour when he was thrown out of the contest, adding frustration to an already disappointing result. The ejection highlighted the intensity of...

Matthew Boyd called for balk on pickoff try, Craig Counsell ejected in Cubs’ loss: ‘The umpire got fooled’

<p>SEATTLE – Matthew Boyd is one of baseball’s best pickoff artists.</p><p>So why did his pickoff try Friday night get called a balk?</p><p>The <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs" >Cubs</a> were wondering the same thing, with manager Craig Counsell in disagreement with home-plate umpire Brennan Miller to the point of getting ejected from his team’s extra-inning loss to the Mariners.</p><p>“It’s not a balk,” Counsell said aft…

The Chicago Cubs have a Matthew Boyd concern on their hands

Calling Friday night’s game in Seattle frustrating is an understatement. The Cubs’ 6-5 loss in extras was defined by several factors, including another “blah” start from Matthew Boyd. He went six innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Not horrific, but not great. After Friday’s game, Boyd sports an 8-2 record, but a 4.15 ERA, 4.68 FIP, 1.24 WHIP, and 18.6% strikeout rate in 91 innings pitched on…

Happy Birthday, you're outta here! Counsell tossed over balk call

SEATTLE -- One of Matthew Boyd's specialities is his pick-off move -- a bit of deception that has caught plenty of baserunners by surprise over the years. It did not work on Friday and actually led to Cubs manager Craig Counsell being ejected -- on his birthday, no less.