Pair of Phillies coaches ejected after confusion at second base

CINCINNATI -- Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly remembers a meeting this spring when he learned an important baserunning rule.

He learned about players running past second base to avoid a force play, which is legal and a play that is becoming more common. But he also remembers watching a video that said the baserunner must turn to third base, and not run to left field. If the runner continues to run toward the outfield, Mattingly recalls, he should be called out because he abandoned the base.

The interpretation of that rule sparked a wild eighth inning in the Phillies’ 4-1 victory over the Reds on Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park.

It started with Orion Kerkering replacing Zack Wheeler, who tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts and allowed one run in seven innings. Kerkering retired the first batter he faced, then walked both pinch-hitter Ivan Johnson and Elly De La Cruz to put runners on first and second. Sal Stewart followed with a ground ball to Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, who threw to Bryson Stott at second.

De La Cruz ran hard to second, then several feet past the bag, to beat the throw. Stewart was out at first.

“In our minds, De La Cruz did not turn toward third at all,” Mattingly said.

Mattingly immediately stepped onto the field to talk about De La Cruz’s baserunning. His chat with all four umpires lasted several minutes, as he thought De La Cruz abandoned the bag. He asked for the play to be reviewed, but the call of abandoning is not reviewable.

“The only thing that could be challenged is the safe/out,” crew chief Alfonso Márquez told a pool reporter. “They wanted abandoning of the base path, but that is not challengeable. On the field you can't abandon, if you're safe and you return to the bag.”

De La Cruz did return to the bag without being tagged.

“Elly did a really good thing,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “I don’t think he’s going to be safe. But once he went past second, he made a jab step towards third. And that keeps him alive.”

Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham started screaming at the umpires on the field over the decision. He got ejected. Phillies infield coach Bobby Dickerson got ejected, too. He then stormed onto the field, trying to get to third-base umpire Lance Barrett, but he was held back.

After a long delay, Kerkering walked JJ Bleday to load the bases.

Ball four was Kerkering’s career-high 33rd pitch in an inning. Jonathan Bowlan entered the game. He struck out Eugenio Suárez to end the mess.