Catcher’s interference call costs Yankees in eighth inning of Game 5

Just when you thought that they were out of bullets to shoot themselves in the foot with, the New York Yankees managed to find yet another one.

In the eighth inning of Wednesday’s World Series of Game 5, the Yankees gave up the lead due to another defensive miscue. Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle entered the frame nursing a 6-5 lead but quickly loaded the bases thanks to a walk and two singles without even recording an out. That led to fellow Yankees pitcher Luke Weaver entering the game and then allowing a sacrifice fly to Gavin Lux to tie the game 6-6.

With Shohei Ohtani at the plate and runners on the corners with just one out, Ohtani fouled off the first pitch of the at-bat. But the home plate umpire quickly awarded first base to Ohtani, ruling that Yankees catcher Austin Wells had committed interference. The Yankees challenged the call, but replay review only confirmed the catcher’s interference.

Here is the video (where you can see Wells’ glove jutting out and clipping Ohtani’s bat in the middle of the swing).

Cather's interference on Austin Wells

The bases are loaded again for the Dodgers pic.twitter.com/RmlMKPTaLx

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 31, 2024

The bases were then loaded for Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, who hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to give the Dodgers a 7-6 lead.

Wednesday’s Game 5 was an absolutely sorry showing for the Yankees defense. They were up 5-0 earlier on in the contest before three separate defensive blunders led to the Dodgers scoring five runs in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-5. It was only fitting that yet another defensive gaffe, this time by Wells in the eighth inning, led to the Dodgers coming all the way back to take their first lead of the contest.