During the sixth inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series, New York Yankees batter Anthony Volpe appeared to hit a game-tying two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays. However, following a video review, the play was overturned to fan interference after a spectator reached over the left field wall and touched the ball as Tampa Bay outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. attempted to make a play, resulting in Volpe being awarded a double and the Yankees trailing in the series.
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The Overturned Home Run and Rule 6.0.1(e)
The sequence unfolded in the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium when Volput drove a ball toward the left field wall. As Mesa tracked the ball toward the barrier, a spectator seated in the front row reached over the wall and contacted the ball.
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The umpires initially allowed the play to stand as a home run on the field. Following a review initiated by the Replay Official, the call was reversed. Major League Baseball issued a statement explaining the decision: “After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official definitively determined the spectator interfered with the ball over the field of play. The ball would not have left the playing field nor would it have been caught. The call is OVERTURNED, there was spectator interference and no home run. The Replay Official also scored one run and placed the batter-runner at second.”
The ruling was governed by MLB Rule 6.0.1(e), which addresses spectator interference when a fan reaches over, under, or through a barrier to touch a ball in play. Under the rule, the batter and runners are placed where the umpire or replay official judges they would have been had the interference not occurred. Because the replay center determined Mesa would not have caught the ball and that it would not have cleared the fence, Volpe was awarded a double. George Lombard Jr., who was running from first base on contact with two outs, was permitted to score.
Kevin Cash Argues for Out After Spectator Interference
Following the lengthy review, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash argued that the play should have resulted in an out due to the interference by the spectator with a fielder attempting a play. That argument was rejected by the officiating crew.
The adjustment on the field brought the Yankees within one run in the inning rather than tying the game with a two-run blast. The Rays entered Game 3 holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five American League Division Series, looking to complete a sweep on the road while New York fought to force a Game 4.
| Game Detail | Event Data |
|---|---|
| Series | American League Division Series (Game 3) |
| Inning & Play | Bottom of the 6th, Anthony Volpe fly ball |
| Initial Ruling | Two-run home run |
| Overturned Ruling | Fan interference, ground-rule double |
| Series Standing Prior | Rays lead 2-0 |
