04/08/2021
One of the more judgement-laden rules in baseball comes around the hit-by-pitch rule, and that became a notable subject during the Marlins-Mets game Thursday. Generally, a batter being hit by a pitch leads to them being awarded first base, but there are exceptions for a pitch in the strike zone (to be ruled a strike, which overrides the HBP) or a pitch outside of the strike zone that the batter did not make an effort to avoid (to be ruled a ball). Here’s the full wording on that from the 2019 MLB rulebook (5.05b):
The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches
Prior the Controversy
This game had quality starting pitching and good bullpen relief, for the most part. Dominic Smith’s sacrifice fly in the fifth scored the game’s first run and the Marlins would put up two in the top of the sixth. Then, the ninth inning ensued chaos.
Jeff McNeil would tie the game with this birthday bash and a beautiful bat flip to go along with it.
JEFF MCNEIL TIES THE GAME IN THE 9TH!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0CXGrYBNDZ
Bass would then go onto load the bases before Conforto’s at-bat. Unfortunately for Bass and the Marlins, this isn’t the first time in this early season he’s been in late-game trouble. He gave up four runs in the top of the ninth in the second game of the year against the Tampa Bay Rays. This is already his second-blown save of the season.