Friday night in Oakland (OAK 7, LAA 3), Major League Baseballs new extra innings rule was used for the very first time in the sports history. MLB implemented the rule, which puts a runner at 2nd base to start each additional half-inning, to assist speed the video game along this season. The league doesnt desire games going deep into additional innings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The additional innings scenario was made possible by Los Angeles Angels catcher Jason Castro, who punched a game-tying solo crowning achievement versus Oakland Athletics closer Liam Hendriks in the top of the ninth. Shohei Ohtani struck out with the bases loaded to end the ninth inning, so, by rule, he was the runner at 2nd base to start the 10th.
Amusing enough, the new rule seemed to capture Ohtani by surprise. He was strolling around the dugout in his sweatshirt following completion of the ninth inning and needed to be advised to go out to 2nd base to begin the 10th. Check it out:
The Angels chose not to bunt Ohtani to third base to start the 10th. Michael Hermosillo, who replaced Justin Upton for defense earlier in the video game, rather began the inning with a ground ball to very first base, which Matt Olson threw to 3rd to get the lead runner. It was a tremendous play by Olson and 3rd baseman Matt Chapman.
Los Angeles eventually packed the bases on a Tommy La Stella single and a Castro walk, though As reducer Burch Smith had the ability to get away untouched. He got Andrelton Simmons to ground out to second with the bases loaded to end the inning. Should the Angels have had Hermosillo bunt the runner to third? Easy to say yes understanding what we know now, however I think you need to play to score as lots of runs as possible as the roadway team. You cant assume one run will be enough.
Once Smith left the top of the tenth, the Athletics were given a runner at second base to start the bottom of the tenth. That runner was Marcus Semien, who turned up behind the plate to end the bottom of the ninth. Even though the As only needed one go to win the video game, they chose to let Ramon Laureano swing away. Here are the run expectancy numbers:
Runners at the corners with one out: 62.4 percent (after a bunt and an intentional walk to establish the double play).
Runner on second with no outs: 61.4 percent opportunity of scoring in the inning
Runner at third with one out: 66.0 percent (after a bunt).
Laureano took a Hansel Robles fastball to the shoulder, then, after Chapman struck out, Robles uncorked a wild pitch and moved the winning run to third base with one out. The Angels chose to use a five-man infield in an effort to cut the runner down at home.
The Angels almost certainly would have intentionally strolled Chapman to set up the double play had Laureano bunted Semien to third, so the net gain is one percentage point. Thats all. Whichs just if the bunt is effective, which is not a warranty. I get letting Laureano (or any player) swing away there. The runners currently in scoring position and you have three shots to drive him in.
Needless to say, the extra innings rule is ripe for mayhem and 2nd thinking. Extra innings in the postseason will be organization as normal and this rule goes away in 2021.
For main scoring purposes the automated runner at second base is said to have reached on a mistake, though no fielder is charged with an error. The automatic runner goes into the books as an unearned run when he comes around to score, so it does not hurt the pitchers ERA. The pitcher is responsible for any runners he enables, nevertheless.
Semien, the automatic runner to begin the inning, is credited with a run scored. Robles was charged with 3 runs total but just two made runs. Semiens run was unearned however Laureanos and Davis are made since Robles allowed them to reach base. Milner is charged with an earned run for Olson. Got all that?
MLB executed the rule, which puts a runner at 2nd base to start each extra half-inning, to help speed the game along this season. Michael Hermosillo, who changed Justin Upton for defense earlier in the video game, rather began the inning with a ground ball to first base, which Matt Olson tossed to third to get the lead runner. As soon as Smith escaped the top of the tenth, the Athletics were offered a runner at second base to start the bottom of the tenth. For official scoring functions the automatic runner at second base is said to have reached on an error, though no fielder is charged with an error. Semien, the automated runner to begin the inning, is credited with a run scored.
