MLB’s first use of its new extra inning rules ended Friday in an exciting way with a final grand slam by slugger Matt Olson of Oakland Athletics.
The rule, which places a runner at second base at the start of each inning, reappeared on Saturday. That ending wasn’t all that dramatic, and it left a sour taste in the mouth of one of the losing team’s pitchers.
Cleveland’s Mike Clevinger is not a fan of extra inning runner
The Cleveland Indians lost 3-2 in 10 innings against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, falling victim to the rule that would surely spark controversy.
With speedy Brett Phillips starting the tenth inning in the second, Royals pinch hitter Erick Mejia moved the runner to third with a sacrifice bunt. Phillips then scored on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Franco to give the Royals the lead. The Indians’ attempt to counterattack at the bottom of the inning ended with three consecutive strikeouts.
Mike Clevinger, who started for Cleveland and allowed two earned runs in seven innings, turned to Twitter after the game to criticize the rule.
This new extra entry rule is the best shit I’ve ever seen, do you have any idea how hard it is to get a runner to get past the back of a bullpen? #ThisIsntTravelBall #MakeThemEarnIt @MLB
– ❂ Mike ℕℍℕ Clevinger ❂ (@ Mike_Anthony13) July 26, 2020
Clevinger went along with that sarcastically calling the sacrifices and the sacrifice flies more fun than the normal game while responding to former teammate Trevor Bauer.
That is correct, Trevor. I don’t think removing the bullpen from either team is the way to go. But you’re right BUNTING and SAC FLIES, that will be more fun. It seems more like your speed. https://t.co/vIlrZcHufl
– ❂ Mike ℕℍℕ Clevinger ❂ (@ Mike_Anthony13) July 26, 2020
Clevinger also discussed the rule with reporters after the game, lamenting that Cleveland reliever James Karinchak was left with a loss despite not allowing the winning run to reach base:
“This is not a travel ball. You know how hard it is to get a runner at second base out of the back of any bullpen, how incredibly difficult is that? And now, all of a sudden, you only have one guy at second base. with a guy like Karinchak on the mound. I’m not happy about that. “
It’s a good bet that Clevinger isn’t alone among major league players, particularly pitchers, in hating the rule. The change was one of many enacted by MLB for the reduced 2020 season, so it is not a permanent change and could go away for next season. However, the upcoming MLB CBA negotiations are yet to come, and commissioner Rob Manfred could push to consolidate the additional runner in the rule books as a way to shorten the extra inning games.
You can bet Clevinger will have some ideas when that happens.
The extra-entry runner rule was meant to be a mix. (AP Photo / Andy Clayton-King)
