Umpire Angel Hernandez, Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi licking his fingers and a base on balls.

It was a combination that put the oft-criticized umpire in the spotlight on Tuesday night in Boston during the Red Sox’s 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. It also led to a walk for Red Sox hitter J.D. Martinez in the second inning of what was a 1-0 game at the time.

As Kikuchi stepped to the mound in the bottom half of the inning and prepared to make a 3-2 pitch, the 30-year-old Japanese pitcher quickly licked his index and middle finger while standing on the rubber. He then gripped the baseball, and Hernandez, who was working first base, awarded ball four to Martinez.

While Hernandez has often come under fire for botching a number of calls over the years, this one he got right.

According to Rule 6.02(c)(1), a pitcher shall not: “(1) While in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s plate, touch the ball after touching his mouth or lips, or touch his mouth or lips while he is in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher must clearly wipe the fingers of his pitching hand dry before touching the ball or the pitcher’s plate.”

There is an exception for cold weather situations but that was not in place for Tuesday night’s game in Boston, though the temperature was in the low 40s.

It also wasn’t the first time it happened in a game that involved the Red Sox and Hernandez. Last year, during a game between the Braves and Red Sox at Truist Park, Atlanta pitcher Chris Martin touched his fingers to his lips as he prepared to make a pitch in the eighth inning of a tie game. Hernandez, who was working second base that night, saw it and awarded a ball to the hitter.

The same thing also happened in a game involving Hernandez and Yankees’ pitcher Orlando Hernandez in a game in 2002.

As for the rule, it clearly states that the penalty for violating it is the next pitch shall be called a ball.