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D'backs catcher rips blocking rule

 
HOTTER THAN JULY: Cleveland’s Carlos Santana has six homers in six games.
HOTTER THAN JULY: Cleveland’s Carlos Santana has six homers in six games.
Published July 28, 2014

PHILADELPHIA — The Diamondbacks' Miguel Montero hopes Major League Baseball changes a rule designed to protect catchers such as him.

In Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Phillies, Montero was called for blocking the plate before he had the ball and leaving Ryan Howard no path, a violation of an experimental rule put in place this season. Howard, originally called out on the play, wound up credited with the go-ahead run when the call was overturned.

"What am I supposed to do? Leave the ball, go and get it, or stand still?" Montero recalled telling umpires. "The throw took me there. I went and got the ball. I have no clue where to go on this kind of a play.

"I'd much rather be run over. It's an awkward rule. Let the game alone. It's been this way for 100 years. It's kind of not fun anymore."

In the first season of expanded video review, the plate-blocking rule has been among the most contentious of the innovations.

Arizona manager Kirk Gibson, who came onto to the field to speak with home plate umpire Dale Scott after the video review, said "the rule has to be reevaluated."

"I didn't think they got the play right," Gibson said.

DRAFT SPENDING: Major-league teams increased their spending on amateur draft picks 1.5 percent this year from a similar point last summer, yet the total dollars remained below the record set in 2011 before caps were put in place.

PADRES: RHP Ian Kennedy will miss tonight's start because of a left oblique strain. Converted of Jason Lane will be recalled from Triple-A El Paso to fill in.

RANGERS: LHP Derek Holland, out all season after having microfracture surgery on his left knee in January, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today and could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment this week.