The New York Yankees picked up their 38th victory of the season Wednesday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on the road. Their manager, Aaron Boone, however, missed most of the game after being ejected for arguing a tough call against Juan Soto in the top of the first inning.
In case you missed it, Soto was called out for interference after Angels shortstop Zach Neto bumped into him while trying to catch a pop up in the infield. Soto appeared to do his best to get back on the second base bag without getting in Neto’s way but the umps still ruled him out.
Boone wasn’t happy about that, especially because the hitter, Giancarlo Stanton, had been called out due to the infield fly rule, and had a spirited conversation with the umps before being tossed.
Here’s the play:
Juan Soto was called out for interference on this play
Aaron Boone was ejected from the game pic.twitter.com/qfEQose06b
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 30, 2024
Fans were torn on the call:
Man this is tough. I’m inclined to side with the umps, but what makes this tough is that the SS backs up at the last second. Soto thought he had a clean angle back to the base. https://t.co/OS12VsRemE
— Blue Shift Blog (@BlueShiftBlog) May 30, 2024
Gets back to the bag. Makes every effort to avoid contact. Infielder misplaying the ball is the only reason there is contact at all. Infield fly called. @mlb your umpires continue to misinterpret what’s happening in front of them and grossly misapply the rules https://t.co/9f9sAbn1nO
— Kevin Clon (@KClonin85) May 30, 2024
you want to see stupidity? check out the comments on this one.
fielder has right of way to a fly ball regardless of infield fly rule. that simple. if soto can tackle him he can just freely advance to third. that’s why it’s interference. https://t.co/cWbpC1hvLh
— HONEY NUT CHOURIOS (32-23) (@jeremywick) May 30, 2024
So you’re saying, Soto should stay off the bag in that situation to allow the fielder to catch the pop up and double him up OR go back to the bag and still get doubled up… not really sure what he’s supposed to do there?? https://t.co/BdrWkU9azF
— Matt Nigro (@mnigro15) May 30, 2024
Complaining about this call means they’ll complain about ANYTHING
Soto tackled the defender going for the pop up 😂😂🤣 https://t.co/FPXkwZ7uRQ
— Orioles Statistics (@OriolesStatist1) May 30, 2024
I think this call is right. Infilled fly is an out, but it is not a dead ball. Soto had a choice between tagging up or attempting to advance if he thought it wouldn’t be caught. His choice resulted in an unintentional interference with a fielder in the act = he’s out. https://t.co/I3u4QiY3mK
— Cash, Operator (@bioconadjacent) May 30, 2024
He did let him clear in front but for sure put a body check on him at the end. Runners have to allow the fielder the right to the ball. Good call, he could’ve done this without the body check https://t.co/YbKbJxbMei
— Billy Centeno (@CoachCenteno) May 30, 2024
Uh this is absolutely %100 the correct call lol as dumb as it is, and it supwr dumb, infield fly doesn’t matter, nor does intent https://t.co/a733HUREEV
— x- The Real Rams Rapp (@TheOtherGarth) May 30, 2024
