MLBToday
Fan Interference Turns Potential Yankees Homer Into Double
Replay review in AL Division Series Game 3 changes the outcome of a long fly ball at Yankee Stadium.
By OddsListing wire desk
· 2 min read
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The Sixth-Inning Play
In the sixth inning of the AL Division Series Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, Yankees second baseman Anthony Volpe drove a long fly ball toward left field with George Lombard Jr. on first base. Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr. moved back toward the wall as the ball appeared to be carried by the wind. The ball cleared the fence and was initially ruled a two-run home run that would have tied the game, prompting cheers from the crowd.
Review and Ruling
After Mesa appealed for interference, the umpires reviewed the play and determined a fan wearing a navy-blue Yankees jacket reached over the fence into the field of play. The ball deflected off the fan's hands. The replay official ruled spectator interference occurred over the field of play. Although the ball would not have been caught, the call changed the play to a run-scoring double for Volpe, leaving the Rays ahead 4-3. The lead held as Spencer Jones struck out to end the inning.
Comparison to Earlier Incident
The decision recalls a similar moment from the 1996 playoffs when a young fan reached over the right-field wall for a fly ball hit by Derek Jeter. That play was ruled a home run with no replay available at the time, despite protests from the opposing team that the ball would have been caught.
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