The White Sox were trying to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning on Thursday night, but lost the game in one of the strangest and most unlikely decisions you’ll ever see at the end of a baseball game.
Chicago, which was trailing the Orioles 8-2 in the bottom of the ninth, scored four runs in the final inning when outfielder Andrew Benintendi reached base with a runner on first to take the lead.
But Benintendi hit a Craig Kimbrel pitch to shortstop Gunnar Henderson for a pop fly, and Adrian Johnson called an infield fly for the automatic second out.
But confusion ensued when the umpire called baserunner Andrew Vaughn out for interfering with Henderson’s attempt to catch the ball, ending the game.
Henderson appeared to lightly bump Vaughn, who was retreating slowly under the high-flying pop-up ball, but it was enough for the umpires to call interference on the White Sox runner on the play.
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol was so infuriated by the shocking double play call that he came out of the home dugout to protest the call, but it changed nothing and the Orioles went on to win the game, 8-6.
According to the Associated Press, crew chief Adrian Johnson said there was no room for discretion if a runner appeared to make accidental contact with a fielder, even if the play resulted in a defensive out.
“If you interfere with a fielder trying to catch a batted ball, it’s interference, not necessarily intentional,” Johnson said after third base umpire Junior Valentine called the game off.
“If we see any interference, we’ll report it.”
Grifol said after the game that he didn’t feel there was any problem with the play because Henderson was able to easily catch the pop fly.
“I’m happy with the way they called the play, but I’m not happy with the rule,” Grifol said. “(Vaughn) did not intentionally make contact. He was not trying to interfere with Gunner catching the fly ball.”
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was one of many people in the ballpark wondering what happened on the final play.
“There was no explanation,” Hyde said. “I saw the umpire point at the runner to call interference. I know there was some confusion about the infield fly.”
“We fled there.”
John Schlifen, who was calling the game for NBC Sports Chicago, was totally upset with how the game ended.
“No, we can’t end the game like that!” Schlifen said defiantly as he watched the replay of the pop-out. “Not anymore. Adrian Johnson, as crew chief, you’ve got to take over here. We can’t end the game like that.”
“Terrible call,” commentator Steve Stone interjected. “Andrew didn’t know where he was and Henderson went around. He didn’t get in the way and made the catch. Automatic out either way. Terrible ending to the game.”
“We’ve had some bad calls this season, but this is one of the worst I’ve ever seen,” Schlifen added. “Vaughn is walking toward the base with his back to the fielder and you end the game like that? Are you kidding me, what is this?”
— The Associated Press
