Indians pitcher rips new Major League Baseball rule after Royals victory
Fans knew things would be different with Major League Baseball’s new extra-innings rule in 2020.
For the unfamiliar, starting in the 10th inning each team begins its turn at bat with a runner on second base and no outs. You can read more about how it works here, but MLB is hoping to avoid prolonged extra-inning games.
That was the case Saturday as the Royals beat the Indians 3-2 in Cleveland. The Royals scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and no one had an official at-bat.
How’d that work? Brett Phillips was a pinch-runner at second and he moved to third on Eric Mejia’s bunt (no at-bat). Maikel Franco followed with a sacrifice fly (no at-bat) that scored Phillips. Nicky Lopez walked (no at-bat) and was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.
The Indians also started their half of the 10th with a runner at second, but Greg Holland kept Cleveland off the board and got the save.
Royals manager Mike Matheny is a fan of the new rule.
“I love it,” Matheny said. “I hope we do it tomorrow. No, actually that’s not true. I hope we have a bigger lead. ...
“It brings a level of excitement. I’ve watched it in the minor leagues first hand. The fans get engaged because there’s action. We’ve got something happening. What are they going to do? How is it going to play out?”
The feeling was different in the other clubhouse.
After the game, a pair of Indians pitchers expressed their displeasure with the extra-innings rule. Here is what Mike Clevinger, who started Saturday, tweeted:
Clevinger also responded to a former teammate, Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer:
Here is what Clevinger told reporters:
Indians pitcher Logan Allen also is not a fan of the rule:
This story was originally published July 26, 2020 at 7:57 AM.
