The Chicago Cubs didn’t seem to realize that the security guard on a Major League Baseball field is in play, and it cost them a run Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
With Anthony Rizzo at first and two out, Kris Bryant hit a line drive down toward the left field corner. As it bounced, it hit a security guard on the third base line trying to get out of the way of it. This did not automatically rule the play dead, though both teams initially acted like it did.
Marcell Ozuna reacted first, throwing the ball home as Rizzo slowed, then sped up again, only to be tagged out.
Here's that weird play with Rizzo getting thrown out at home. Replay doesn't show, but he slowed down getting to third and then started to run again as everyone looked confused on what the call was. pic.twitter.com/erf7VZjjNg
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) June 7, 2019
We’ve seen ball boys grab fair balls without realizing they’re fair, which leads to umpires placing the runners. In contrast, unintentional interference like this allows the play to continue without umpire intervention. Rizzo may not have known that off the top of his head, but as long as the umpires weren’t signaling anything, he should have kept running. Not doing so cost his team a run.
