You know something is wrong when a triple play seems more like a triple gut punch. Fans are still furious after the New York Mets found themselves in that precise situation during Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
Everything was going smooth until the sudden shift in the fourth inning. The Mets were playing fine at Nationals Park on Friday; there were no outs and men on first and second. And then, a clean line drive toward first base by Jesse Winker was caught by the Nationals’ first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. Ruling it a catch, the umpire set off a series whereby Mark Vientos was out at first and Brandon Nimmo was doubled off at second, so producing a triple play that finished the inning. A triple play! Replays, however, showed the ball had really bounced before reaching Lowe’s glove, so it wasn’t a clean catch but a controversial one. Since then, it has left fans, analysts, and players furious.
Was that the right decision? That was the only question on everyone’s mind. This event has generated debate about the shortcomings of MLB’s replay system, particularly when important plays like this one cannot be checked for accuracy. Baseball analyst Ben Verlander succinctly captured the annoyance, “Insane this can’t be reviewed. Mets got screwed. Umpire makes a bad call. Says it’s caught in the air. It results in a TRIPLE PLAY to end the inning. Brutal.”
Insane this can’t be reviewed. Mets got screwed.
Umpire makes a bad call. Says it’s caught in the air. It results in a TRIPLE PLAY to end the inning.
Brutal.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) April 25, 2025
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza disputed the decision, but under MLB regulations, such infield plays are not subject to video review. A rule that can change the entire game. Is this really acceptable? Well, just like Ben Verlander, the Mets and their fans are finding it so.
MLB’s replay rules say some plays are non-reviewable. Specifically excluded from replay review are “fly balls or line drives fielded by a defensive player in the infield.” Unlike outfield plays, which are subject to review, this one is not.
The reason behind this? MLB wants to keep the game moving and restrict reviews to factual decisions. But, as this event shows, such limitations can result in major game-changing errors.
Maybe it’s time to look back and change the replay rules. Guaranteeing correctness should be a priority.
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