Marlins' Sixto Sánchez Balks in Run After Bizarre Fake Pickoff to Completely Empty Base

Karl Rasmussen | Apr 24, 2024

Miami Marlins pitcher Sixto Sanchez / Screenshot via Fish on First

Miami Marlins pitcher Sixto Sánchez surrendered the opening run of Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves in what was a moment he'll surely be hoping to erase from his memory.

The right-hander attempted to fake a pickoff attempt at second base, turning around while on the mound and pump faking a throw toward the bag. The problem, was that there was no one on second base.

The Braves had runners on first and third at the time, so not only was there no runner on second base, but there were no Marlins defenders covering the bag to even begin to sell Sánchez's fakeout attempt.

Sixto Sánchez balks in the first run of the game. Not ideal. pic.twitter.com/ShvWSb4aoe

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) April 24, 2024

The umpires ruled that Sánchez had committed a balk, which enabled Atlanta's lead runner to score while moving their other runner up from first to second. That runner later came around to score, too.

It certainly wasn't the first inning Sánchez and the Marlins were hoping for as they look to avoid a series sweep against their divisional rivals, as the easily preventable mistake ended up costing them significantly in the early going.