“A weird one, to say the least.”
Jarren Duran wasted no time making a statement, launching a leadoff homer in the first — practically waving at Dave Dombrowski like, “Look what I can do in my potential new home!” The audition started strong… but faded fast. After that bomb, Duran struck out twice and cooled off.
On the Phillies’ side, Zack Wheeler was everything you’d want from your ace: 6 IP, 10 K, 0 BB. Filthy. Efficient. Locked in. And get this — the bullpen didn’t implode! That’s not a typo. They held it together for once, locking down a rare stress-free finish.
But not everyone showed up.
Brandon Marsh had a night to forget: 0-for-3 with 3 Ks. The platinum blonde locks were flowing, but the bat never got going. Everyone’s allowed a dud — let’s just hope Marsh hits the reset button tonight.
But that wasn’t even the strange part.
The game went to extras. In the top of the 10th, it was time for Lasar — or as I like to call him, Lazer! — who did his job, retiring all three batters.
Then came the bottom of the 10th… and chaos.
The Red Sox walked Kemp on four straight pitches. First and second, nobody out. The first pitch to Max Kepler was wilder than a hot blonde at the bar knocking back a shot and yelling, “WHOOOOO!”
Runners moved up to 2nd and 3rd.
Boston made the “smart” move… I guess — they walked Kepler to load the bases and keep the force out at any base. In reality this guy couldn’t hit a beach ball with a tennis racket! They should have just pitched to him. you wouldn’t have to throw him anything in the zone he would swing regardless.
And then… the STRANGEST — and in my opinion, STUPIDEST — thing MLB has ever allowed to happen… happened.
With a 1-2 count on Edmundo Sosa, checks his swing… and they had to review?
Catcher’s interference.
Automatic first base. Run scores. Game over.
The Phillies win on a walk-off catcher’s interference in extras.
Now, listen — I’ll take the win… but this?
This felt like 10th-grade chemistry with Ms. Sandler — scrambling to change my answers while she went over the test.
Yeah, I know it was wrong… but hey, I passed!
But seriously… could you imagine if this happened in a game that decided a playoff berth? Or worse — in the actual playoffs?
A season ending on a checked swing and a Catchers Interference? That’s a joke.
Here’s how you fix it:
After the 5th inning, catcher’s interference should not award a base if the bases are loaded. Instead, you wipe out the strikes on the count — the pitch doesn’t count — and the batter stays put. The pitcher’s gotta throw again.
And no, you can’t just reset the count to 0-0 — otherwise, you’d have catchers “accidentally” interfering on a 3-0 or 3-1 count to save a walk. If you’re gonna lose on a walk-off walk? Fine. At least you had four pitches to figure it out.
Honestly? I think this should apply to hit-by-pitches too.
If it ramps up the intensity on the field? GOOD!
A batter gets plunked on a 0-0 count? Make him stay in there and hit. I’ll tell you what — that guy isn’t stepping up hunting for a homer. Now the game gets real.
Baseball’s supposed to be earned… not given away on cheap technicalities.
