Incredibly Bizarre Play Costs Tampa Game Three in 13th Inning

Just when you think you've seen it all in baseball... well, you haven't. A bizarre play in the top of the 13th inning cost the Tampa Bay Rays the lead, in a critical ALDS Game 3 that they lost to the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the 13th. 

With Yandy Diaz taking off from first, Kevin Keirmaier ripped a ball that caromed off the short right-field wall, apparently easily sending Diaz home for the go-ahead run. Then controversy and chaos took over:

After bouncing off the wall, the ball hit Boston outfielder Hunter Renfroe and deflected over the wall, causing a ground-rule double, and forcing Diaz to return to third base after a long and controversial discussion by the umpires.

Kiermaier was still in disbelief after the game. "I just can't believe that's a ground-rule double."

Apparently, the official rule backs the umpires' decision, but that doesn't mean it was the "proper" call in the spirit of fair play. 

As MLB insider Ken Rosenthal says, this is a rule "that needs to be adjusted."

Sure, the umps got the call right, but the Rays effectively were penalized.

A strange play in Game 3 of Rays-Red Sox shows a rule that needs to be adjusted, @Ken_Rosenthal argues.

More: https://t.co/yXLthYM3l4 pic.twitter.com/0HrggSz52c

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 11, 2021

Bizarre rules problems are always magnified in the playoffs, like previous examples of the Russell Martin toss hitting a bat in 2015, or the infamous Bartman incident that might have cost the Chicago Cubs a trip to the World Series in 2003. 

Add this one to the list; unfortunately, the Tampa Ray Rays are the unfortunate victims in a scenario that may cost them a trip to the ALCS.