The Padres and Mets played at Citi Field on September 17, 2025. In the top of the sixth inning, the Padres had Elías Díaz on second and Fernando Tatis Jr. on first with two outs when Luis Arraez hit safely to right field. The ball was fielded by Juan Soto, who gunned down Arraez at second base, where he was tagged by Francisco Lindor. Second base umpire Alan Porter made the call.

It appeared the Padres had scored an easy run, but plate umpire Chris Segal ruled that Arraez was tagged out before Díaz crossed the plate. The inning ended on a time play because it was not a force situation.

Ruleball Comments

• Díaz did just about everything wrong a runner can do in that situation. Instead of running hard through the plate, he looked back and ran nonchalantly toward home. The on-deck batter didn’t help matters by signaling for Díaz to slow down.
• In plays like this, the plate umpire must determine whether the tag was applied first on the trailing runner, or if the lead runner crossed the plate before the tag for the third out. Segal appeared to be in good position to see both the tag at second base and the timing of Díaz crossing the plate.
• Because the inning did not end on a force play, it became a race against time — the timing of the lead runner crossing the plate versus the tag of the trailing runner for the third out.
• Fortunately for the Padres, the play didn’t cost them the game, as they went on to win 7–4. In situations like this, the third base coach needs to urge the runner to hurry. Of course, it’s also possible the runner ignored the coach’s directions.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst: Angels, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and Chicago Sports Network