Lodged Ball Controversy Sparks Chaos in Blue Jays’ World Series Game 6
Game 6 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers had everything you could imagine — drama, tension, and a wild rules controversy that left fans stunned. The Jays’ hopes of clinching their first World Series title in over three decades were dashed after a bizarre “lodged ball” ruling in the bottom of the ninth changed everything.
Let’s set the scene: the Blue Jays were trailing 3-1, but the crowd at Rogers Centre was electric. More than 44,000 fans were on their feet, holding their breath as Addison Barger stepped up to the plate with Myles Straw on first. Then came the moment that sent everyone into a frenzy — Barger launched a rocket to deep left-centre field. It bounced off the base of the wall and disappeared under the padding. From the stands, it looked like it might be an inside-the-park, game-tying home run. Straw and Barger sprinted around the bases as the place absolutely erupted.
Also Read:- Coles and Woolworths Recall Popular Protein Bars Over Gluten Mix-Up
- Blue Jays Fall Short Against Dodgers in Series Finale
But then, confusion took over. Dodgers centre fielder Justin Dean had immediately thrown up his hands, signaling that the ball was stuck. The umpires gathered quickly and pointed toward second base, ruling the play a “lodged ball.” According to Major League Baseball’s official rulebook, when a batted ball becomes stuck in or under a wall or fence, it’s declared a dead ball, and the batter is automatically awarded a ground-rule double — regardless of whether the fielder could have retrieved it easily.
That ruling meant Barger had to stop at second, Straw was forced to retreat to third, and what looked like a thrilling comeback was suddenly halted. The stadium’s roar turned into a collective groan as fans tried to process what had happened. Some were even shouting that the ball wasn’t really stuck and that the play should have continued. But under the rules, the umpires had no discretion — it’s not about effort or visibility, only about interference with the ball’s natural trajectory.
Moments later, with two runners on and nobody out, the Jays’ hopes unraveled. Ernie Clement popped up, and then Andrés Giménez lined out to left. Dodgers outfielder Kiké Hernández made a sharp grab and fired to second base, doubling up Barger to end the game — and the Jays’ night — just like that.
What could have been one of the greatest comeback moments in franchise history ended in disbelief. Fans left Rogers Centre in stunned silence, some shaking their heads at the cruel twist of fate. Now, with the World Series tied 3-3, everything comes down to Game 7 — and Toronto’s chance for redemption rests on the arm of veteran ace Max Scherzer.
In the end, the “lodged ball” call will be remembered as one of the strangest and most heartbreaking moments in recent postseason memory — a technicality that changed the course of the night and sent the World Series to its dramatic finale.
Read More:
0 Comments