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On Friday night in Oakland (OAK 7, LAA 3), the new additional innings rule was used for the first time in baseball history. MLB implemented the rule, which places a running back at second base to start each extra half inning, to help speed up the game throughout this season. The league does not want the games to delve into additional innings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The additional innings scenario was made possible by Los Angeles Angels catcher Jason Castro, who launched a solo homer that tied the game against Oakland Athletics closer Liam Hendriks in the top of the ninth inning. Shohei Ohtani struck out with the bases loaded to finish the ninth inning, so as a general rule he was the runner at second base to start the tenth inning.
Interestingly, the new rule seemed to surprise Ohtani. He was walking around the shelter in his sweatshirt after the end of the ninth inning and was reminded to go out to second base to start the tenth inning. Check it out:
The Angels chose not to hit Ohtani at third base to start the tenth. Michael Hermosillo, who replaced Justin Upton with the defense earlier in the game, instead started the inning with a ground ball at first base, which Matt Olson threw to third to get the leading runner. It was a tremendous play by Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman.
Los Angeles finally loaded the bases with a single by Tommy La Stella and a walk from Castro, although A’s reliever Burch Smith was able to escape unscathed. He managed to get Andrelton Simmons down to second with the bases loaded to finish the inning. Should the Angels have made Hermosillo hit the runner to third? It’s easy to say yes knowing what we know now, but I think you have to play to score as many runs as possible as the road team. You cannot assume that one race will suffice.
Once Smith escaped from the top of the tenth, the athletes were given a runner at second base to start the bottom of the tenth. That runner was Marcus Semien, who appeared behind the plate to finish the end of the ninth. Although the Athletics only needed one race to win the game, they decided to let Ramón Laureano walk away. Here are the execution expectation numbers:
- Runner up second with no outs: 61.4 percent chance of scoring at the inning
- Runner in third position with one out: 66.0 percent (after a tap)
- Runners in the corners with one out: 62.4 percent (after a tap and an intentional walk to set up the double play)
The Angels almost certainly would have intentionally accompanied Chapman to establish the double play if Laureano had tied Semien for third, so the net profit is one percentage point. That’s it. And that’s only if the touch is successful, which is not a guarantee. I let Laureano (or any hitter) walk away there. The runner is already in scoring position and you have three shots to put him in.
Anyway, the bottom of the 10 got weird. Laureano carried a Hansel Robles fastball to his shoulder, then, after Chapman struck out, Robles uncorked a wild pitch and moved the winning run to third base with one out. The Angels chose to employ a five-man inside box in an effort to cut the runner at home. After Robles walked Khris Davis to load the bases, Olson scored an exit grand slam on the first pitch against left-hander Hoby Milner.
For official scoring purposes, the automated runner at second base is said to have reached an error, although no fielder is charged with an error. Also, the auto runner enters the books as an unearned run when he reaches the score, so it doesn’t hurt the pitcher’s effectiveness. However, the pitcher is responsible for any runner he allows.
Semien, the automatic runner to start the inning, is credited with a run scored. Robles was charged with three races in total, but only two races won. Semien’s career was not won, but those of Laureano and Davis were won because Robles allowed them to reach the base. Milner is accused of a career won for Olson. Do you have all that?
It goes without saying that the additional entry rule is ripe for chaos and doubt. To touch or not to touch? We will discuss it all season. Fortunately, the additional innings rule will be used only during the 2020 regular season. The additional entries in the postseason will be the same as always and this rule disappears in 2021.
