Rays win after slide ruled illegal upon replay

This play went from a Blue Jays lead to a Rays win on reversal. (MLB.com screen grab)

You’ve heard of game-ending double plays before. But how about one brought about by a slide rule violation? That’s exactly what happened in Tuesday night’s Rays–Blue Jays game.

With the bases loaded and one out, Rays closer Alex Colome coerced Edwin Encarnacion into hitting a chopper to Evan Longoria. Longoria fired to second, where Logan Forsythe completed the first half of the double play. Yet Forsythe’s throw to first base got by Steve Pearce, allowing the Blue Jays to plate the tying and go-ahead runs. Or so it appeared, anyway:

Upon closer inspection, the umpires ruled that Jose Bautista had interfered with Forsythe by grabbing his back foot. That’s against the rules — and not just the new rules — and so Encarnacion was also ruled out, thereby ending the game and handing the Rays their first win of the season.

Jays manager John Gibbons was not pleased, spouting off some regrettable nonsense, like such:

Speaking of firsts, this might’ve been the first time this year a slide had unintended consequences for a team, but don’t bet on it being the last.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)