Kodai Senga Earns 1st MLB Save for Mets as Devin Williams Lands on IL

Q: How did a forgotten obscure baseball rule cost the Blue Jays a crucial run against the Red Sox?

The Blue Jays lost the run because they failed to make the correct appeal under baseball’s obscure “fourth out” rule. On the play, Boston had runners on first and third with one out, but confusion over the out count led both runners to advance on Ceddanne Rafaela’s caught fly ball as if there were already two outs. Toronto then threw to first to double off Nick Sogard for what became the third out. That did not automatically erase the run from third. Because Sogard’s out at first was not a force play, it was treated as a time play: the key question was whether Anthony Seigler crossed home before the third out was recorded. He did, so the run counted unless Toronto successfully appealed that Seigler had left third base too early without tagging up. That is where the Blue Jays missed the chance. Under Rule 5.09(c)(4), they could have recorded an “apparent fourth out” by appealing at third base after the inning-ending play. If umpires upheld that appeal, it would have taken precedence over the out at first and wiped the run off the board. Instead, Toronto only completed the appeal at first and then left the field without appealing at third. Once the players had left fair territory, the chance to make that fourth-out appeal was gone, and the Red Sox were awarded the run.

3 articles · Updated · MLB Trade Rumors · Aug 11

Kodai Senga closed out a 3-run ninth inning against Atlanta for his first major league save, striking out 2 and walking 1 in his first chance.
Devin Williams went on the injured list with a right shoulder strain before Tuesday’s game, leaving New York without a clear closer after trading Luke Weaver and Huascar Brazoban.
Senga, a former starter, touched 99 mph and used his splitter to fan Matt Olson and Michael Harris II, giving interim manager Andy Green an immediate late-inning option.
The outing could reshape the Mets’ bullpen for the rest of the season if Senga’s power stuff continues to play up in relief.