A back-and-forth matchup at Globe Life Field between the Rangers and the Rockies ended in rather confusing fashion on Monday.
Trailing 6-4 with an out and two ons at the bottom of 10th, Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia attempted a 5-4-3 doubles play, but the throw for the first time eluded Colorado first baseman CJ Cron.
A run would score the game, reducing the score to 6-5, and Garcia landed on second base.
However, the Rockies questioned the decision at second base that Mitch Garver’s slide interfered with second baseman Brendan Rodgers.
The umpires reviewed the play and determined that Garver had in fact interfered. So the Rangers catcher was called, along with Garcia, who ran to first base.
double game. Game over. Rockies win, 6-4.
Here’s the piece that ended Rangers-Rockies today.
The reverse slide rule on second base makes this a game-ending double play.
Many in the state of Texas are still trying to figure out what happened.
Colorado wins, 6-4 pic.twitter.com/Hn218Bc7o8
— Joey Hayden (@_joeyhayden) April 12, 2022
This is how the MLB rules currently define its sliding rule:
“When a runner slides into base to interrupt a double play, a runner must do a ‘real slide.’ This is defined as the runner who touches the ground before reaching base, can reach base with one hand or one foot, can remain on base (except on home plate) at the end of the slide, and does not change his way for the purpose of contacting a fielder. The slide rule prohibits runners from using a “rolling block” or attempting to make contact with the fielder by lifting and kicking his leg over the fielder’s knee, throwing his arm or torso, or grabbing the fielder. If a slide rule violation occurs, the offending runner and batter-runner are called.
“Inadvertent contact may occur during a legal slide and a runner will not be called for interference if the contact is caused by a fielder being in the runner’s legal path to base.”
Changes to the sliding rules were introduced after a 2015 season in which a number of middle infield players were injured by baserunners slipping while covering second base.
However, a quick glance at social media will tell most fans that the result of Monday’s game may not have been a correct interpretation of the verdict.
Rockies challenge the slide rule on Garver in the second and it’s game over. Wow.
Rangers fall 6-5 in 10 innings. Texas is now 1-3. https://t.co/QUgt8OR3aS
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) April 12, 2022
The match was ended by the referees after a slide rule. The Rangers lose 6-4.
A crazy way to end. How to reverse that.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 12, 2022
The Rangers were screwed over the slide rule to complete the game. This is just terrible.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) April 12, 2022
Wow. Umps in Texas went for video review and found a fake slide on second base that gave the Rockies a game-ending double game. 6-4 over the Rangers in 10 innings. Connor Joe hit a solo homer in the 10th in front of Greg Holland.
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) April 12, 2022
The manner @Ranger Game ended today is a joke. This interpretation of the “slide rule” looks bad and does not add to the sympathy @MLB. So bad. The “softening” of all sports these days is painful to watch. 🙄 #MLB
— Paul Stankowski (@PaulStankowski) April 12, 2022
BTW, the Rangers got completely hosed down on that call to 2B to end the game. This is really very bad.
— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) April 12, 2022
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