Yankees Denied Game Tying Home Run After Fan Interference Call

Drama at Yankee Stadium

A massive controversial moment hit Yankee Stadium during Game 3 of the AL Division Series. Anthony Volpe hit a long fly ball to left field in the sixth inning with George Lombard Jr. on first base.

Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr. ran back to the fence as the wind blew the ball. Mesa jumped, the ball went into the stands, and the stadium celebrated a game tying two run home run. However, Mesa argued there was fan interference.

The umpires gathered to discuss and called for a review. Replay showed a fan in a navy blue Yankees jacket reaching over the fence. The ball hit the fan's hands and went into the stands.

The Ruling and Historic Echoes

Crew chief Dan Bellino announced that interference was called, which brought loud boos from the crowd. The replay center decided that Mesa would not have caught the ball, but Lombard would have scored. Volpe was given a double instead of a home run.

This left the Rays with a 4-3 lead. The Yankees failed to score again in the inning when Spencer Jones struck out for the final out.

Major League Baseball released a statement confirming that the spectator interfered over the field of play. They stated the ball would not have left the field or been caught, so the hitter was placed at second base.

This incident brought back memories of the 1996 playoffs. Back then, a young fan named Jeffrey Maier reached over the wall on a Derek Jeter fly ball. No interference was called because there was no replay review, and Jeter's home run stood.