The New York Mets did something on Wednesday that you typically only see at the Little League level — they batted out of order.
In the top of the first inning, New York sent outfielder Jay Bruce to the plate as their cleanup hitter. Prior to that at-bat, Asdrubal Cabrera had reached base on a ground rule double. The problem is the lineup card the Mets submitted had Cabrera batting second and Wilmer Flores hitting third. As a result, Bruce was called out and the inning ended with Cabrera stranded on second.
The Mets batted out of order, and as a result forfeited a man in scoring position in the first inning. I've never seen that before in a professional baseball game.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 9, 2018
The umpires were given a lineup card with Asdrubal Cabrera batting second, and Flores third. Reds manager Jim Riggleman waited until Cabrera reached base to alert the crew. A little savvy gamesmanship on his part.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 9, 2018
Asdrubal Cabrera's double, meanwhile, is wiped off the books completely. The official scoring is a putout to the catcher.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 9, 2018
The umpiring crew says Jay Bruce was called out in the first inning, despite the fact that he did nothing wrong. He's 0-for-1. Cabrera's double stands.
Chaos, folks.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 9, 2018
What a mess. As you might expect, Twitter had plenty to say about the mishap:
Watching the Reds .vs. Mets game right now is like watching a peewee league game where nobody knows what in the world is going on on the field. How do you bat out of order at that level?? And the umpire’s communication with the dugouts/managers is definitely *not* helping. pic.twitter.com/0YYh4nWgXI
— Justin Skinner (@_JustinSkinner_) May 9, 2018
I guess Matt Harvey was more important than you thought, huh @Mets, can’t even send the right guy up to bat. @Reds will lead the league in batting in order with the addition of @MattHarvey33 , mark my words. pic.twitter.com/Ay7UOTzprl
— Derek Showalter (@DekeForSure) May 9, 2018
The Mets just batted out of order for the second time in four at bats … pic.twitter.com/osa95MOqQk
— J Bloch (@JBloch522) May 9, 2018
They say that you earn your pinstripes after your first big Yankees moment. Mickey Callaway just earned whatever it is that the Mets earn for being the Mets. How does a big league team, or any team, bat out of order?
— Matt Kardos (@mattkardos) May 9, 2018
When the Mets bat out of order and my coworkers are having a grand time about it pic.twitter.com/N5HQj4LrxC
— Boom Fantasy (@BoomDFS) May 9, 2018
Mets falling apart. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a a professional team bat out of order pic.twitter.com/ux0gunW0jA
— Alex (@fergodson) May 9, 2018
If you thought the Mets had problems with their former star pitcher this season, you apparently haven’t seen anything yet.
