If you read that headline above and were confused, believe me: It’s very understandable.
Because there’s a rule that somehow allowed a Pittsburgh Pirates player to score despite the fact that the Washington Nationals pulled off an inning-ending double play.
Here’s the situation: It was 3-3 in the fifth inning with Pirates on second and third with one out. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a ball that was caught by Josh Bell, who threw to Ehire Adrianza at third base. Adrianza caught it, tagged Hoy Park and that was a double play that ended the inning.
Except … Jack Suwinski had scored from third. And as the Nationals ran off the field, everyone realized that the Pirates were credited with a run.
What? How could someone do that when there was a double play to end the inning?
Welcome to the very obscure “fourth out” rule: