Fan Interference Denies Anthony Volpe a Tying Homer for Yankees Against Rays in Game 3 of ALDS
Replay officials ruled that a fan interfered on Anthony Volpe’s drive, turning a tying two-run homer into an RBI double and preserving Tampa Bay’s lead.
- On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, MLB officials overturned New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe's game-tying home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 3 of the American League Division Series, ruling spectator interference and awarding an RBI double instead.
- The incident drew parallels to a 30-year-old moment in 1996 when 12-year-old fan Jeffrey Maier deflected a ball at Yankee Stadium; unlike that historic play, umpires used instant replay to correct this call immediately.
- MLB's Replay Center determined the fan interfered with the ball over the field of play, preventing a catch; frustrated fans then threw debris onto the field, briefly delaying the game behind Tampa Bay left fielder Victor Mesa Jr.
- The ruling allowed only one run to score, trimming the Rays' lead to 4-3, leaving Volpe stranded at second base after Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones struck out against reliever Griffin Jax.
- Entering the contest down 2-0 in the best-of-five series, the Yankees faced potential elimination on Wednesday; this pivotal play significantly impacted their chances of extending the season against Tampa Bay.
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30 Articles
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Yankees swept by Rays in ALDS as fan interference wipes away tying home run
After decades of the last two iterations of Yankee Stadium always seeming to give the home team an advantage, it finally bit them in the backside on Wednesday night. And now, the New York Yankees’ season is officially over. The Bronx Bombers fell 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the ALDS,...
Fan interference denies Anthony Volpe a tying homer for Yankees agains
Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr. makes an attempt on a ball interfered with by fans that umpires reviewed and ruled a run-scoring double by New York Yankees' Anthony Volpe during the sixth inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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