1000% A Catch”; “Absolutely Ridiculous” – Red Sox Fans Furious After Ceddanne Rafaela’s No-Catch Call in 16-1 Loss Vs Yankees — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

Ceddanne Rafaela - Red Sox vs Yankees | © Imagn

Red Sox CF Ceddanne Rafaela was left perplexed after a no-catch call in the outfield during Sunday’s series finale against the Yankees. In the fifth inning, with a runner on base, Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a low fly ball that landed between Rafaela and RF Wilyer Abreu. The CF dove and made a thrilling catch, then threw to first, completing a clear double play.

To the surprise of both Rafaela and the visiting dugout, the umpires ruled it a no-catch, resulting in a base hit for Jazz. The call left many baseball fans seeking a proper justification, while others slammed the umpiring crew and the league’s confusing rules for the lax call on social media.

Watch Rafaela’s diving catch here:

Here are some fan reactions to the game’s viral moment:

“This is 1000% a catch. idk how you can even claim it’s not conclusive,” one fan commented.

“Im a Yankee fan and this is absolutely ridiculous. Total catch, clearly seen in video,” another fan commented.

Rafaela finished the game 0-for-4 as Boston was thrashed 16-1 by the home side. With this win, the Bombers secured a crucial series win, highlighted by a five-RBI night from Austin Wells and three RBIs each from Jose Caballero, Heliot Ramos, and Paul Goldschmidt.

Ceddanne Rafaela Was Certain He Had Made the Catch Cleanly

Speaking to the media after Sunday’s game, Rafaela made it clear that he had taken the catch cleanly and said he didn’t need to watch the video again to confirm whether his stance was correct. Furthermore, he stated that the controversial call had definitively changed the course of the game.

“I didn’t have to even watch it. I know I made the catch. I know when a ball drops and a ball don’t drop. And I know I made the catch… It’s out of our control, but I was really mad in the moment. I really wanted to help my pitcher there and I feel that changed the whole game right there,” Rafaela said.

Boston is now 74-63 for the campaign, third in the AL East, 8.5 games behind division leaders Tampa Bay Rays, and currently holds the second Wild Card spot in the AL. The Red Sox will now head home to host the Mariners for a three-game series starting Monday.