An amazing play at second. An out at home. An obstruction call at third base. This all took less than 15 seconds to happen. When it was over, St. Louis had won Game 3 of the World Series in the most spectacular, bizarre manner you could imagine.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth and runners on second and third, Jon Jay smoked a ball to Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who snagged it and threw to home to get Yadier Molina. Two outs. So far, so good for Boston.
Then, Jarrod Saltalamacchia throws to third to try and get Allen Craig, but the ball sails into left field.
But then Daniel Nava's throw to the plate gets Craig. THREE OUTS, TO EXTRA INNINGS WE GO, RIGHT?
NOT SO FAST. The umpires call obstruction on third baseman Will Middlebrooks for tripping up Craig as he ran toward home. The run counts, ballgame over, St. Louis now leads the World Series, 2-1.
With obstruction, Middlebrooks' intent is not relevant. He tripped Craig on the way to home. Ergo, Craig gets the next base free of charge, which just happens to be the winning run.
That would be Rule 7.06 of the Official Rules.
And here's Section 2.00.
Allen Craig couldn't believe it.
Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox couldn't believe it.
And it all happened because of this inadvertent trip, which some are arguing was perhaps not interference due to Craig not being in the baseline when he fell, though that doesn't appear to matter.
Here's how the entire sequence went down:
Game 4 is Sunday night, and if it's a fraction as exciting as this finish was, we're all in for some fun.
