WATCH: White Sox lose on abhorrent interference call, Internet goes crazy originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Thursday’s game between the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles ended with one of the strangest calls you’ll ever see.
Down 8-2 in the final frame, the White Sox rallied with four runs in the bottom of the ninth and had a chance to win the game with runners on first and second with one out.
Andrew Benintendi swung for an infield fly ball, and Andrew Vaughn calmly walked back to second base as shortstop Gunner Henderson moved to make the catch. The referee called interference on Vaughn, who unintentionally (to say the least) stepped into Henderson’s path.
Fans on social media immediately attacked the umpire for calling interference on a play that would have been ruled out whether the ball was caught or not due to the infield fly rule. It was also debatable whether or not Vaughn actually interfered with the shortstop.
MLB umpires are having the most embarrassing year in their history.
First, this was considered an infield fly, so the runner is automatically out. Secondly, there was no blatant attempt at interference. For a match to end like this is absolutely shameful. pic.twitter.com/LBx2HpkBJl
—Jason Shetler (@Jason_Shetler) May 24, 2024
The worst call of the season?
Andrew Vaughn (runner on second) called for interference with Gunnar Henderson after an infield fly rule: game over. The White Sox cut the lead from 8-2 to 8-6 in the ninth before this decision. pic.twitter.com/fZdA1szqdT
– SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) May 24, 2024
I’m an O(Obv) fan and I’m glad they won… But what the hell was that decision? Maybe the worst decision I’ve seen in all my years watching baseball. #Birdland #white sock
—Brad (@bgg1991) May 24, 2024
I hate the White Sox, but that’s one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. What a terrible decision by the second base umpire. An absolute joke.
-Greg Shirron (@KJH05) May 24, 2024