A seventh-inning scoreboard error at the Rogers Centre disrupted the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays, prompting a rules check by umpires and a delay of more than 15 minutes. The discrepancy arose when the stadium's scoreboard incorrectly displayed two outs, leading to confusion on the field.
As Boston's Ceddanne Rafaela hit a fly ball to center field, runners on first and third base advanced on contact. Blue Jays outfielder Brett Bateman secured the out at first base. Simultaneously, the runner from third base crossed home plate. However, this runner had not tagged up, a crucial detail that went unnoticed initially due to the erroneous out count on the scoreboard.
Crew chief Chris Guccione initiated a rules check with New York, as the runner from third had scored before the out at first was officially recorded. "The runner at third base did not tag and crossed home plate before the out at first was recorded," Guccione announced to the crowd. "We are going to New York to do a rules check."
Following the review, it was determined that the run would count. The Blue Jays maintained their lead and ultimately won the game. According to Blue Jays manager John Schneider, the ruling was based on timing: if a run scores before an out is recorded, the run counts, regardless of whether the runner tagged up. Schneider noted that his team was not given an opportunity to appeal the play by throwing to third base, as the Red Sox had not challenged the call and his team had already taken the field.
"What I was told was the rule is the rule. It’s a timing play," Schneider told reporters. "If the run scores from third no matter what he did – tagging up or not – before the out is recorded at first, the run counts."
He added that if the situation were reversed, his team would aim to record the out at third base in such a scenario. The Red Sox did not challenge the call. The game concluded with the Blue Jays securing the win.