The Mariners and Giants met at Oracle Park on April 6, 2025.

In the bottom of the ninth with the score tied, 4-4, the Giants had Luis Matos on first base and one out when Patrick Bailey sent a fly ball into the corner deep down the right field line. Mariners’ right fielder Victor Robles sprinted to the ball and made a spectacular catch. His momentum and his leap brought him over the side of the wall and into the high netting in foul territory. The umpires ruled a catch and because Robles went out of play, Matos was awarded second base.

Giants ‘manager Bob Melvin challenged the catch which was confirmed by the Replay Official. Mariners’ skipper Dan Wilson challenged whether or not Robles went out of play. The Replay Official ruled that Robles went out of play and Matos was sent to second base. The Giants subsequently scored and won the game, 5-4 when Wilmer Flores knocked in Matos with the winning run.

Ruleball Comments

• When a fielder catches and carries a ball into dead ball territory, the ball is dead and any runner on base is awarded one base.
• Rule 5.06 (b) (3) (C) reads, “Each runner other than the batter, may without liability to be put out advance one base when a fielder after catching a fly ball, steps or falls into any out- of- play area.”
• As stated earlier in this report, it should be noted that even though the runner/s are awarded one base, they are required to tag-up because of the caught fly ball. The base coaches must be alert to this.
• I have always questioned, when is a fielder considered to be out of play? That is not defined in the OBR or the MLBUM. “The only memo I have ever read from MLB that addresses the question when a fielder is out of play is covered in the Netting rule. It reads, A fielder running into any screen or protective netting set on a field facing wall or railing (e.g., a backstop or
  protective netting along the first or third base lines) shall be considered as having entered the stands if, in the judgment of the umpire, neither foot is on or above the playing surface…
• The Replay Official apparently ruled that Robles had neither foot above the playing surface. In my opinion it was difficult to discern if there was clear and convincing evidence that Robles had either foot above the playing surface. Therefore, the call on the field was confirmed.

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