Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez met with reporters bearing printouts of the team’s final play against the Astros Wednesday night. Martinez was adamant that a throwing error by Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz was actually the result of Astros batter Jake Meyers running out of the baseline on the way to first.

“There it is right there,” Martinez said. “Take a look at it. Is that on the line? I don’t think so. I’m over this play. Seriously. They need to fix the rule. If this is what the umpire sees that he’s running down the line, I’m tired of it. I’m tired of it. Fix it. We lost the game, and he had nothing to say about it because he can’t make the right call. Brutal.”

The play occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning, shortly after Washington tied the game at four in the top of the frame. With the bases loaded and one out, Meyers hit a ground ball to shortstop CJ Abrams, who threw home for a force play. Ruiz attempted to turn the double play at first but hit Meyers’ helmet instead, sending the ball toward second base and allowing the Astros to win on a walkoff error.

Martinez argued the call with umpires, but it was not overturned. Astros manager Dusty Baker did not involve himself in the altercation on the field, admitting after the game that Martinez may have had a case for arguing the call while agreeing with the umpires’ decision.

“I think they were disputing whether he was in the baseline or not,” Baker said. “That’s always a questionable call. Nobody really has the vantage point very good except really the home plate umpire, and he said it was nothing.”

Meyers did not admit to running out of the baseline after the game, offering even less than Baker while noting that he was already on the base when he collided with first baseman Michael Chavis’ glove, the intended target for the throw.

“I think that kind of sent the ball elsewhere,” Meyers said. “I’m not really sure, but I know we scored, and we won. That’s good.”

Los Angeles is home to stars – the Dodgers fortified that reputation, acquiring both star pitcher Max Scherzer and all-star infielder Trea Turner from the Nationals.

The Dodgers are sending a lucrative package of prospects to Washington: pitcher Josiah Gray, catcher Keibert Ruiz, pitcher Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey. Gray and Ruiz were the top two prospects from Los Angeles’s farm system.

Scherzer is having a stellar season, pitching to a 2.76 ERA in 19 starts. He is owed $35 million in this final year of his contract, although it will be paid off in deferrals through 2028. He will join a rotation of Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin. Recently added pitcher Trevor Bauer is out indefinitely after possible criminal offenses arose off the field.

Turner is currently batting .322 with 18 big flies and 49 runs batted in. He is just 28 years old and is under control through the 2022 season.

Los Angeles has a history of making big splashes at the trade deadline. Previous examples include acquiring Yu Darvish and Manny Machado.