The umpires missed that one.
In the second inning of Saturday’s match between the Mets and the Dodgers, the ball seemed to strike the shin of Los Angeles catcher Dalton Rushing before bouncing onto the field.
Once the ball from Rushing rolled just beyond home plate, Mets catcher Luis Torrens picked it up and threw it to first base to secure the second out of the inning. Meanwhile, Tommy Edman scored from third, giving the Dodgers their second run.
Upon looking at the play, however, the ball clearly blasted into Rushing’s shin before going into play, which should have resulted in a foul ball.
It appears that even the Mets thought the ball was initially called dead, with both Torrens and pitcher David Peterson pausing as the ball was hit.
This kind of play isn’t considered eligible for review according to the guidelines, so the Mets couldn’t challenge the call. As a result, the Dodgers took an early 2-0 lead. However, the Mets came back with five consecutive runs, ultimately winning the game.
The Mets also had a run-in with the umpires over a confusing call during the third inning of Friday’s game.
They ultimately lost a challenge over an obscure rule regarding when a player is allowed to leave for the next base on a sacrifice fly.
Mets outfielders Tyrone Taylor and Juan Soto nearly collided when attempting to catch a fly ball in right center hit by Mookie Betts, and the ball grazed both of their gloves before Taylor wound up making the play with his bare hand.
Dodgers outfielder — and ex-Met — Michael Conforto left early when tagging up from second base, but he was ultimately ruled safe because the ball was first touched before being caught.
Commentators on Friday’s Apple TV broadcast were left puzzled by the play until former MLB umpire Brian Gorman came on and cleared up the rule.
“The reason behind the touch, as opposed to when he eventually catches the ball, is that an outfielder can actually juggle the ball all the way in and not threat the guy from advancing,” Gorman said. “As soon as the ball hits the glove, he can take off.”
