SAN DIEGO — Xander Bogaerts had a home run taken off the board Monday night after a disputed fan-interference ruling — a run that ultimately proved decisive in the Padres’ 4-3 series-opening loss to the Giants at Petco Park.
In the bottom of the second inning, Bogaerts lofted a deep drive that was tracked by Giants left fielder Heliot Ramos to the wall. Ramos reached for the ball at the same time as two fans in the front row — before the ball caromed off his glove and over the fence.
The specifics of how and why were open to interpretation. Did one of those fans actually touch the baseball — or at least interfere with Ramos’ ability to catch it? Had they reached into the field of play to do so? Ultimately, a replay review ruled that the answer was “yes” to both questions.
Much to the displeasure of Bogaerts, Padres manager Mike Shildt and most of the 42,730 in attendance.
Shildt was promptly ejected for arguing the replay ruling (which is prohibited), and he later contended that there wasn’t enough video evidence to overturn the call.
“There was no clear evidence that that fan impeded [Ramos’] ability to make a play, created a difference in how he moved and his actions, went over the fence — none of it was clear,” Shildt said.
The rule in question is 6.01(e), detailing the specifics of spectator interference:
No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. However, should a spectator reach out on the playing field side of such fence, railing or rope, and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batsman should be called out for the spectator’s interference.
Notably, it doesn’t matter whether the fan in question touches the baseball. Per the rulebook, spectator interference can occur with or without contact to the ball. (In this case it’s hard to tell, but slow-motion replays appeared to make it look like the ball grazed the left arm of one of the two fans.)
Even Ramos wasn’t sure afterward. He noted that he wasn’t physically interfered with himself, but he contended he would have caught the ball if not for the fans involving themselves in the play.
“I did think I had it easier than that,” Ramos said. “But whenever I was about to catch it, I saw his arm was, like, over me. … He was over me. Literally over me, and his whole body was across the wall.”
That last part is crucial, because if the fan interfered with Ramos outside the field of play, the home-run call would have stood.
“It looked like he reached over,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin. “I think it just nicked him. Regardless, if your hand is over, it could affect his vision, too. You don’t see that call often, but I think it was the right one.”
Naturally, Shildt disagreed, and he cited the lengthy replay review as evidence to support his case.
“If it’s that clear, then overturn it early,” he said. “If it’s not, then it’s a home run.”
Shildt added that he was fine with the ensuing ejection from plate umpire James Hoye. He knew when he emerged to argue that he would get tossed. Per Shildt, Hoye said he could have come out between innings if he wanted clarity on the call.
“You tell 45,000 people and my dugout that,” Shildt said. “… I know the rule and I don’t want to be ejected out of a game, but I also need to make a point when a point needs to be made.”
Ramos heard boos for the rest of the night at Petco Park. The Padres, who were trailing 4-0 at the time, rallied to cut the deficit to 4-3. (It’s worth noting that the game might have been managed differently had Bogaerts’ home run stood.)
Later, Bogaerts’ double sparked a three-run seventh inning but the Padres ultimately fell short. Afterward, Bogaerts said that based solely on Ramos’ reaction — he didn’t watch the replays too closely — he had a gut feeling the home run would be overturned.
“It sucked,” Bogaerts said. “You know, I can tell you that. But in life, sometimes there’s some stuff you can control and some you can’t.”
