The Guardians picked up a 5–2 win on Wednesday against the rival Twins, but the result wasn’t without some controversy.
Minnesota held a 2–1 lead with two outs in the top of the ninth inning and needed just one more out to end the game. In a 2–2 count, Jhoan Durán threw a wild pitch to Bo Naylor, which allowed a run to score. Upon review, however, it appeared as if Naylor had swung his bat while trying to avoid the pitch.
Home plate umpire José Navas didn’t see it that way, declaring that Naylor didn’t swing. The Guardians tied the game and went on to win in extra innings. Had it been determined that Naylor had swung, the Twins would have won, 2–1.
The controversial no-swing ruling from the umpire sparked a debate among MLB fans as to whether it was the right decision, with arguments from both sides getting tossed into the ring.
Swing or not? pic.twitter.com/yGtXEYWSEy
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 30, 2023
Cleveland gets a gift.
That’s 100 percent a swing from Bo Naylor on Duran’s wild pitch. Should have been strike three and the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/QKKtf3gXwE
— Puckett's Pond (@PuckettsPond) August 30, 2023
He’s avoiding the pitch not making “an attempt to strike the ball.” So by MLB’s rule book it is not a swing.
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) August 30, 2023
Well the hitter running to first base tells you what he thought
— Brandon Spratt (@brandospratt7) August 30, 2023
No. There was no intent and the ball was past him by the time he "swung."
— John (@FantasyNut2017) August 30, 2023
Is it a swing? Yes
Do I think it should be counted as a swing? No— Joey F (@jfcatcher23) August 30, 2023
Bo Naylor went around in every sense of a swing but somehow @MLB replay gets it wrong…again.
— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 30, 2023