The setup: A’s right fielder Stephen Piscotty was chasing a base hit that had rolled into the Giants’ bullpen along the right field line when he ran into a chair being held by Giants reliever Mark Melancon. Piscotty appeared to stumble, and then he made a bad throw to home plate that allowed Alen Hanson to score the tying run.
Oakland argued unsuccessfully that Melancon interfered with Piscotty and Hanson should be placed on third base.
A’S BULLPEN NEWS: Oakland acquires Mets closer Familia for prospects, cash
A’s manager Bob Melvin knows the hazards the on-field ‘pens present.
MLB Rule 6.01(d) spells out the decision:
As all that was going on, the internet was having Saturday Nitro flashbacks.
The game later went to extra innings after the A’s failed to score in the bottom of the ninth.
UPDATE: The A’s won 4-3 in 11 and then grabbed the microphone to celebrate.
