One of the most obscure rules in baseball came into play in yesterday's 8-7 Pirates win over the Nats.
Pirates have second and third, one out. Batter hits a low line drive to the first baseman who catches it off his shoetops. Two outs. The runners don't realize the ball was caught, and they keep running. The first baseman throws to third, who tags the runner coming in from second. Three outs. Inning over. Nats run into their dugout.
However...
The runner from third, without tagging up, had crossed home plate before the runner on second was tagged out. Does the run count? By rule, yes it does - unless the defense appeals the play. The Nats needed to step on third base with the ball, i.e. record a "fourth out", to negate the run. They didn't do that, the run counted, and they lost by one.
Just when you thought you'd seen everything...
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Pirates have second and third, one out. Batter hits a low line drive to the first baseman who catches it off his shoetops. Two outs. The runners don't realize the ball was caught, and they keep running. The first baseman throws to third, who tags the runner coming in from second. Three outs. Inning over. Nats run into their dugout.
However...
The runner from third, without tagging up, had crossed home plate before the runner on second was tagged out. Does the run count? By rule, yes it does - unless the defense appeals the play. The Nats needed to step on third base with the ball, i.e. record a "fourth out", to negate the run. They didn't do that, the run counted, and they lost by one.
Just when you thought you'd seen everything...
Bucs score because Nats didn't get ... a fourth out?
WASHINGTON -- While there are three outs every half-inning, the fourth out rule was enacted during the fifth frame of an 8-7 Pirates win over the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon at Nationals Park. With Hoy Park on second base and Jack Suwinski on third with one out, Nats reliever reliever
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