“Should Have Never Happened,” Alex Rodriguez Sounds off on Addison Barger’s Mistake in Game-Ending Double Play Following Blue Jays’ Loss

Addison Barger got doubled up for the final out in the bottom of the 9th inning, which resulted in the Blue Jays losing the game.

“Should Have Never Happened,” Alex Rodriguez Sounds off on Addison Barger’s Mistake in Game-Ending Double Play Following Blue Jays’ Loss

Addison Barger and Alex Rodriguez (Image via Sportsnet/Imago)

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The bottom of the 9th inning of World Series Game 6 was a rollercoaster for Addison Barger. After his hit was ruled a dead ball, he was tagged out in a wild game-ending double play, which saw the Los Angeles Dodgers force Game 7. After the game, Alex Rodriguez sounded off on the mistake made by Barger.

The 25-year-old entered the bottom of the 9th inning after Roki Sasaki had hit Alejandro Kirk on a 0-2 count. This saw Myles Straw come into his place as the pinch runner and take up first base. The Japanese international then went up against Barger.

On a 2-2 count, Barger connected on a fastball. The ball would get lodged at the bottom of the ball which resulted in Dodgers players signaling for a dead ball. The Blue Jays star had raced upto 3rd while Straw had reached home.

The umpires would rule that as a ground-rule double and call back the runners. Straw was called back to 3rd while Barger had to stop at the 2nd base.

Sasaki was then replaced by Tyler Glasnow. The 32-year-old pitcher entered the game with 2 runners on base and no outs. He would get rid of Ernie Clement on the very first pitch through a pop-out.

Andres Gimenez then came up to bat. After leaving the first pitch, the No.9 hitter ended up hitting a line drive to left field. Enrique Hernandez would showcase his speed and grab the ball for the 2nd out. The Dodgers star then threw the ball to 2nd base, where Miguel Rojas was waiting.

The veteran was successfully able to tag out Barger as the American international was a bit far from the base. This resulted in a game ending double play.

This double play saw the Blue Jays lose the game from a strong position. Within 3 pitches from Glasnow, the Blue Jays went from no outs to three outs.

Barger’s mistake was a huge one. Had he not been tagged out, the Blue Jays would have had George Springer coming up to bat with 2 runners on base. With Springer facing Glasnow, the outcome could have been different.

Following the game, Alex Rodriguez would comment on this. The 14-time MLB All-Star expressed that a player cannot get doubled up in this situation and sounded off on the error from Addison Barger.

I don’t care how good those plays were, they should have never happened. Because when you are at 2nd base, there is no way, zero percent, that you can get doubled up there. Specially with Springer coming up and the World Series on the line.

Alex Rodriguez said on Fox Sports postgame show

Barger would also comment on this moment. He expressed that it was a bad read from him that resulted in this.

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

Addison Barger and Blue Jays to play in club’s first World Series Game 7

Despite having more hits than their opponents, Addison Barger and the Toronto Blue Jays ended up losing Game 6. He and his team will now get ready to play in their franchise’ first World Series Game 7.

Addison Barger
Addison Barger (Image via Sportsnet)

Their 2 triumphs in the World Series (in 1992 and 1993) had both come in Game 6. In 1992, they beat the Atlanta Braves at their home to claim their first title. The following year, they went back-to-back. A Joe-Carter 3-run walk-off home run sealed their win in Game 6.

This year marked the first time they were playing in the World Series since that victory in 1993. Saturday will mark the first time, the Blue Jays play in a World Series Game 7.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, have the experience of this. Their last Game 7 of the World Series was against the Houston Astros in 2017 at Dodger Stadium. However, they lost that game and the World Series. In fact, the last 4 World Series Game 7s have seen the visiting teams emerge as the winners (2019, 2017, 2016, and 2014).

The last team to win a Game 7 of the World Series at home was the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. The Blue Jays would be hoping to join them and hope for a massive celebration on Saturday.

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