Apparently, Sunday couldn’t have only one unusual MLB ruling. In the Houston Astros-Chicago White Sox game, the bottom of the fourth saw something strange. With Tim Anderson, Luis Robert, and Jose Abreu all singling to start the inning, Zack Greinke was summoned from the bullpen to replace starter Yimi Garcia, with none out and runners on 3rd (Robert) and first (Abreu).
And the first batter Greinke faced, Yasmani Grandal, produced a remarkable outcome. Grandal hit a ball down the first-base line, and first baseman Yuli Gurriel fielded it and threw home to try and get Robert, but that throw hit Grandal. And it was ruled a fielder’s choice and a throwing error. Here’s the play:
Do you think Grandal should be called out here? pic.twitter.com/FZzcOMzLPT
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 11, 2021
That certainly led to a lot of discussion, and to a lot of complaints from the Astros (including the above protest from manager Dusty Baker). But it ended with everyone safe as per the umpires’ rulings. And Eloy Jiminez then singled to score Abreu and put Chicago up 9-6. While the Astros got out of the inning after that, this certainly might be a long-remembered moment if they don’t come back to win this game.
