Brewers-Rockies: Balk call leads to heated pitcher and umpire exchange….
Here’s the lowdown on that Brewers–Rockies game from Friday, June 27, 2025 at American Family Field:
In the bottom of the 5th inning, Rockies reliever Jimmy Herget was called for a balk by first-base umpire Paul Clemons. With William Contreras on third (after singling, erring, and bunting), Herget began a windup instead of stretching, without declaring it—leading to the balk .
Herget angrily stepped off the mound and engaged in a heated exchange with umpire Clemons, clearly upset over the call. Announcer Brian Anderson explained that pitchers must declare a windup when runners are on base to avoid deceiving them—and failing to do so is a balk . The result: Contreras advanced from third to home, tying the game 7–7.
Jackson Chourio crushed a three-run home run, finishing with four RBIs .
Scoring breakdown: Brewers erupted with six runs in the 4th, Rockies answered in the 5th & 6th, but Milwaukee sealed it with three more in the 8th .
Jose Quintana picked up the win; Kyle Freeland took the loss (1–9) .
Rockies are now 7 losses in 8 games, making this a tough stretch for the club .
The balk stemmed from a failure to declare a windup, a safety and clarity rule especially important with runners on base—umpire Clemons noted, “You didn’t declare, what do you want me to do?” .
Though it wasn’t a sneaky move, the umpire enforced the rule strictly—leading to runner advancement and controversy.
That balk wasn’t just a footnote—it tied the game and flipped momentum. Herget’s vocal reaction highlighted how seriously pitchers take these rule nuances. Even though Milwaukee built a solid lead and won comfortably, the balk moment was the emotional flashpoint.
Want a breakdown of any specific player’s performance, more on Rockies vs. Brewers history, or how this series shapes the standings? Just ask!
