Jorge Mateo hit a go-ahead, three-run homer, and the Baltimore Orioles withstood a late comeback attempt by the Chicago White Sox, winning 8-6 Thursday night in a game that ended with an infield fly and an interference call.
Trailing 8-2 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the White Sox scored four runs and closed the gap to two. With runners on first and second and one out, Andrew Benintendi hit a popup to Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
The infield fly rule was called, and umpires ruled the runner at second, Andrew Vaughn, interfered with Henderson. Vaughn was called out, ending the game and Chicago’s rally. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was among many at the ballpark wondering what happened on the final play.
“I didn’t get an explanation,” Hyde said. “I saw the umpire point right to the runner with the interference call. I know with the infield fly there’s probably some confusion. “We escaped there.”
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol came out to argue, but the umpires walked off the field. Crew chief Adrian Johnson said there is no discretion when a baserunner appears to make incidental contact with a fielder — even if the play results in a defensive out.
“If he hinders the fielder in the attempt to field a batted ball, intent is not required and it’s interference,” Johnson said after third-base umpire Junior Valentine made the game-ending call.
“When you see the interference, you call it.” Grifol said after the game that he felt there was no harm in the play, as Henderson was able to make an easy catch of the pop fly.
“I’m good with the way they called the play. I’m just not good with the rule,” Grifol said. “(Vaughn) didn’t make contact on purpose. He wasn’t trying to impede Gunnar from catching the fly ball.”
Anthony Santander also homered, and Adley Rutschmann added three RBIs for Baltimore, which snapped a three-game skid after being swept by St. Louis at the start of a seven-game trip.
