MLB game erupts in chaos after struggling Mets can't even bat in order
Professional sports are always cyclical, but every league just seems to have that one team who can’t ever do anything right.
The NFL has the Cleveland Browns. The NBA has the Sacramento Kings.
And MLB has the New York Mets.
Just days removed from an acrimonious fallout with pitcher Matt Harvey, who at one point was viewed as the future face of the franchise, the Mets are at it again.
When the Mets suited up to play against the National League-worst Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, many were probably expecting a bad professional baseball game.
But few could’ve predicted the comedy of errors that the game would devolve into.
In the first inning of their game, Mets infielder Asdrubal Cabrera came up to the plate with two outs and ripped a ground-rule double along the left-field line.
That’s a good thing! Except, for just one minor issue — it shouldn’t have been Cabrera’s at-bat.
As soon as Cabrera reached second base, Reds manager Jim Riggleman let the umpires know of the discrepancy.
Apparently, Cabrera was supposed to bat second. But in the computer where the Mets input their lineup before the game, Cabrera was incorrectly slated to bat third.
“I knew right when they went up there that we were out of order,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said after the game, according to ESPN. “It was an administrative thing that I didn’t take care of. Once they announce you, you can’t do anything.”
Confusion quickly reigned supreme. The umpire seemed to initially call Cabrera out.
But the umpiring crew was apparently calling Mets outfielder Jay Bruce out and letting Cabrera’s double stand. For those keeping track, Bruce was called out without ever having an actual at-bat.
Eventually, the umpires got the call correct.
The Reds ultimately prevailed 2-1 in 10 innings. Losing a runner in scoring position to an easily avoidable mistake in a one-run loss has to sting.
Baseball has plenty of complicated rules. Following a batting order shouldn’t be one of them.
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