Addison Barger’s Shot in Game 6 Being Labeled as Dead Ball Sparks Outrage Among Fans: “Blue Jays Got so Screwed There”

Addison Barger's shot in the bottom of the 9th inning would get stuck at the wall and was later ruled dead, which sparked outrage on social media as the Blue Jays lost Game 6.

Addison Barger’s Shot in Game 6 Being Labeled as Dead Ball Sparks Outrage Among Fans: “Blue Jays Got so Screwed There”

Addison Barger (Image via X/@BaseballQuotes1/ClutchPoints)

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Game 6 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays saw the former get a massive call in their favor. Addison Barger‘s shot with no outs was called a dead ball and ruled as a ground rule double. This was something that sparked major outrage among fans on social media.

The Dodgers, who entered the game trailing the series 3-2, put up 3 runs on the board in the third inning. A double from Will Smith and a single from Mookie Betts saw the visitors take a 3-0 lead against Kevin Gausman.

The Blue Jays pulled one run back in the next frame. In the bottom of the third inning, George Springer drove in Barger following a single to center field. It was the bottom of the ninth inning, where major drama took place.

Young pitcher Roki Sasaki was allowed by Dave Roberts to remain in the game. The pitcher ended up hitting Alejandro Kirk on an 0-2 count. This saw Myles Straw, pinch runner for Kirk, occupy first base and bring up Barger.

On a 2-2 pitch, Barger would connect on a 99 mph fastball and send the ball towards the center field. The ball would become lodged at the bottom of the wall. Instead of playing it, substitute fielder Justin Dean would put his arms up in the air and signal for a dead ball.

Meanwhile, Straw had taken off and crossed home plate while Barger raced towards third base, hoping for it to be a triple. However, the umpires would also put up their hands and signal for a dead ball.

After video review, their decision stood, and it was instead called a ground rule double. Barger was thus forced to go to 2nd base, and Straw was called back at 3rd base.

Roberts would then take the pitch away from Sasaki and throw in Tyler Glasnow. The right-handed pitcher took to the mound with 2 runners on base and nobody out.

He was able to get the job done, though. After Ernie Clement popped out on the very first pitch of Glasnow to Freddie Freeman, Andres Gimenez came up to bat. He would take one pitch and then swing on the 2nd pitch.

He would end up driving the ball to left field. Enrique Hernandez would rush forward and make the grab, and then throw the ball back to 2nd base towards Miguel Rojas. Barger was a bit off the plate and was tagged out in a wild game-ending double play.

Fans slam MLB rules after Addison Barger’s decisive hit becomes a dead ball

Addison Barger’s hit, being called a dead ball, sent the MLB fandom into a frenzy. Many fans took to their social media account to slam the rules and make their voices heard.

Addison Barger
Addison Barger (Image via Sportsnet)

Users on X erupted over this decision and called out the officials. One user wrote, “Blue Jays got so screwed there” and argued that it was never a ground-rule double.

Check out some reactions from fans regarding this incident below:

While the fans clearly did not like the ruling and continued to debate that the ball was playable, Justin Dean was not against the rules. As per the ruling, a ball lodged at the wall is a dead ball, and the team gets a ground-rule double.

Addison Barger comments on his mistake which resulted in a game-ending double play

Addison Barger went from being a hero to villain in a short span of time in the 9th inning. After his hit was labeled a ground-rule double, he was tagged out at the 2nd base which resulted in a game-ending double play.

Enrique Hernandez caught Addison Barger and tagged him out resulting in a double play, which resulted in the Blue Jays losing
Enrique Hernandez and Mookie Betts celebrating after Addison Barger got tagged out (Image via TSN)

After the game, the 25-year-old commented on his mistake. While speaking with the reporters, he expressed that it was a “bad read” from him.

I was pretty surprised he got to it. Off the bat, I thought it was going to go [right] over the shortstop’s head. I didn’t think it was going to travel that far. It was kind of a bad read.

Addison Barger said as per Jesse Rogers of ESPN

Had Barger not been tagged out, George Springer would have come up to bat with 2 runners on base. Things could have gone differently there.

It all now comes down to Game 7. It will be the first World Series Game 7 since 2019. The road team has won the previous 4 Game 7s in the World Series. The Dodgers will be hoping to become the fifth team and retain their crown.

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