MLB fans were stumped by New York Mets star Pete Alonso for a game-ending error against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.
The error also happened during a controversial call in the bottom of the 9th inning that saw the Mets lose to the Cubs, 1-0.
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With one out and Mets base runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth inning, infielder Jeff McNeil hit a fly ball to left field.
Cubs outfielder Ian Happ caught the ball and got the second out as Alonso, who was at third base, tried to score to tie the game.
The ball was cut off by third baseman Nick Madrigal, who threw a dart to catcher Miguel Amaya.
Alonso dove head first and was thrown out at the plate on a stunning double play that ended the game.
Replay showed Alonso’s hand hitting the ground and appearing before touching home plate.
It appeared the 29-year-old’s hand was raised due to the catcher’s cleat being on base.
Still, MLB fans were perplexed by Alonso’s action late in the game.
“Why didn’t Pete put his hand down?” one of them asked.
“This is why you slide with your feet first and not your head,” posted another.
“Can we address how slow Alonso is and how he didn’t touch the plate?” a third asked.
The game-ending play was also reviewed as the Mets tried to argue that Amaya had blocked the plate.
The umpires ruled that the “catcher’s setup was legal” and Alonso was out.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza could be heard on live television yelling, “This is bullshit!” on the non-obstruction call.
After the game, Mendoza said he would talk to the league about the decision.
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He also explained that his understanding of the rule, as stated in an email sent to all managers during the spring, prohibits catchers from being on base without possession of the ball.
But Mendoza acknowledged that the “game is over.”
MLB teams cannot protest games due to poorly enforced rules.
Five Major MLB Rule Changes in 2024
1. The pitch clock is reduced from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base. It will remain at 15 seconds with the bases empty.
2. When a pitching change is made, the inning clock will reset to 2:00 instead of 2:15 as happened last year.
3. Teams will only be able to visit four mounds per game in 2024, compared to five last season.
4. Fielders and fielders who block bases will be cited for obstruction by the umpires.
5. The runners’ lane from home plate to first base has been widened to include the dirt between the grass and the white line.
The Mets had just three hits in seven innings against Cubs ace Shota Imanaga.
New York was excluded for the third time this season.
They have a 15-15 record, while Chicago has an impressive 19-12 record.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
