When it comes to understanding and enforcing the intricacies of the MLB rulebook, some umpires are better than others. But just about the last person you’d want to oversee an unconventional substitution involving a pitcher, position player and designated hitter is much-maligned umpire Angel Hernandez.
So, of course, Angel Hernandez was the umpire when the Rays made a series of bullpen-preserving lineup changes during Wednesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. And predictably, Hernandez’s involvement turned the game into an utter mess.
The incident in question happened when the Rays brought in left-handed pitcher Adam Kolarek in the eighth inning. Kolarek faced Sam Travis, got an out and then moved to first base as the Rays brought in right-hander Chaz Roe to face the right-handed Mookie Betts. The Rays did this so Kolarek could remain in the game, and after Betts flew out, Kolarek returned to the mound.
The confusion seemed to surround the lineup card, which Hernandez had discretion over, according to rule (5:10.b). Basically, when a pitcher is moved into a fielding position, the right to a designated hitter gets forfeited. Hernandez had trouble placing the Rays substitutions correctly on a lineup card, which led to a 14-minute delay and the Red Sox playing the game under protest. One pitch was thrown in 23 minutes.
After the game, Hernandez referenced the rule that he seemingly failed to enforce. Rays manager Kevin Cash didn’t specify where Kolarek was hitting, which meant that it was Hernandez’s job to place him. He did not, and mayhem ensued.
The Red Sox ended up losing the game, 3-2, and manager Alex Cora called the entire ordeal a “mess.” It was the kind of thing that could have only happened with Angel Hernandez overseeing it.
