Arizona Diamondbacks get controversial walk-off win (Video)
By Phil Watson
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked up a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, winning in the bottom of the 10th inning on a walk-off fielder’s choice on a groundball hit by Andy Marte.
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With Tuffy Gosewisch at third and Nick Ahmed at first and one out, Marte hit what looked to be a tailor-made double-play grounder to shortstop Jordy Mercer.
Then this happened:
Second baseman Jayson Nix’s throw appeared to hit Ahmed’s left hand and caromed away. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle argued to no avail that Ahmed intentionally threw his hands up on the slide.
Hurdle’s argument was based on intent.
"“The rule book states interference can only be called if the runner alters his slide to try to prevent a throw,” Hurdle told MLB.com. “In their opinion, he did not alter his slide—he said he threw his hands up the way most guys do when they go into a slide, unfortunately in direct line with the ball. I felt there was an extra effort in getting his hands up in the way.”"
Ahmad didn’t dispute that he was trying to channel his inner Dikembe Mutombo.
"“That’s the way we’re taught to slide and to play the game,” Ahmed said. “Go in hard and late. It wasn’t a dirty play in my mind at all. I just slid in hard and the throw hit me in the arm.”"
Umpire Ron Kulpa told reporters that there wasn’t enough there to call interference.
"“It has to have been willful and deliberate with obvious intent to break up a double play. … Guys slide into second base all the time with their hands up.”"
It was the second tough loss of the day for Pittsburgh, who had center fielder and reigning NL MVP Andrew McCutchen depart in the eighth inning with an apparent injury to his side.