The ghost runner allows baseball teams to score in extra innings without getting a hit, which critics argue undermines traditional principles of the game. An example from a recent Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox game showcased this, where the Phillies scored a run without a direct hit due to multiple walks allowed by Red Sox pitcher Jordan Hicks. The inning featured noncompetitive balls leading to intentional walks and a walk-off interference call, highlighting how pitching errors led to scoring opportunities without conventional batting.
In extra innings now, a bunt and a sac fly will do the trick. This is a clear affront to the principles of baseball.
To score a run without hitting the ball into play, it requires so many walks or wild pitches in an inning that it's hardly credited.
People will naturally fixate on the walk-off catcher's interference that won the Phillies the game, but the events preceding it were crucial.
The intentional walk to Kepler left the bases loaded with no outs, setting up a scenario where scoring became inevitable through the defense's failure.
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