With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Cardinals had men on second and third.
Jon Jay sent a short grounder to second baseman Dustin Pedroia who made a great stop and throw to get Yadier Molina out at home. Then catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia makes a bad throw to third base, where it gets away from Will Middlebrooks.
The runner, Allen Craig and Middlebrooks end up entangled, causing Craig to have issues getting to home plate. Craig freed himself and was able to get up, but was thrown out at home.
However, umpire Jim Joyce had called obstruction at third base, which automatically gives the runner the next base. Home plate umpire John Hirschbeck, who had noticed the obstruction call was quick to call Craig safe at home.
Baseball's rule 7.06 states: "Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. Rule 2.00 (Obstruction) Comment: If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered "in the act of fielding a ball." It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the "act of fielding" the ball. For example: an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, he very likely has obstructed the runner."
While the Red Sox and their fans are unhappy about the ruling, it was however the right call.
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