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The ball may have landed at second base, but Nelson Cruz still received a home run. Thanks to a Tropicana Field quirk, Cruz extended the Tampa Bay Rays’ lead over the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Thursday.
Cruz’s controversial explosion occurred in the third round. With the Rays already leading 2-0, Cruz sent a suspended slider from Nick Pivetta to left field. Two Boston Red Sox outfielders followed the ball to the wall. For a moment, it seemed that Cruz had just missed a home run. Then the ball fell to the ground about 10 meters in front of the two vaulters. Despite this, he was deemed a home run.
How is it possible? Blame Tropicana Field.
Fox Sports advertisers were initially confused, but quickly realized what had happened. Cruz hit the ball so high that it bounced off one of the gangways at Tropicana Field. The park has several rings of walkway that encircle the entire stadium.
The one that Cruz hit was either the C-Ring or the D-Ring. Any ball that hits these rings is automatically considered a home run, according to the Rays website.
A struck ball that strikes one of the two lower gangways (referred to as a “C-ring” and “D-ring”), including any lights or hanging objects attached to one of these gangways as well as the angled support rods that connect the “C-Ring” to the masts which support the “D-Ring” in fair territory: Home Run.
With the hit, Cruz, 41, became the second oldest player to hit a playoff homerun.
The explosion gave the Rays a 3-0 lead.
The Rays podium is hit several times a year
This is not the first time that one of the Rays’ podiums has been involved in a play. A number of infielders have been confused by pop-ups that hit a catwalk and bounce in a completely opposite direction or never descend.
It’s not as common for home run balls to hit a podium, but it has happened. Prince Fielder achieved the feat in 2013.
Like Fielder, Cruz is also known for his prodigious power. The Rays hope to regain that success at the World Series, where they hope for victory this time around.
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