NEWSLETTER
The Iowa Cubs won the first extra inning game of the 2018 minor league season, so far as I can tell. There were other extra innings games, but the Cubs’ game was the first to finish. That means the Iowa Cubs are the first team to win a minor league game victimized by the terrible, horrible, pointless rule that puts a runner on second at the start of the inning for absolutely no rational purpose whatsoever.
One side effect of this pointless change was in clear evidence. For both teams, the runner at second was a relief pitcher. And when you think about it, that makes sense. When you double switch, you put the pitcher into the last slot in the order that batted (unless that slot happens to be one of your really good hitters). The last batter in the previous inning becomes the base runner at second in the extra inning. Given that teams are very likely to double switch late in tie games in games played under NL rules, we’d expect to see a lot of relief pitchers being called on to run the bases.
But not just run the bases. They will be the base runner in scoring position in a tie game. The guy who will, very plausibly, have to be involved in a play at the plate at some point. Unfortunately, I’d be willing to wager substantial amounts that most relief pitchers are not great base runners. So this rule, among the other bad side effects, is going to put inexperienced base runners as the go ahead run in extra innings. I’d like to think that this won’t result in a single injury, but I’m not that optimistic. At best it is going to result in some ugly looking baseball.
But at least the Cubs won the game. And Duane Underwood, their relief pitcher/baserunner, had a relatively easy trip around the bags and did not get hurt. Bad rule, good outcome:
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Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Oklahoma City 2, Iowa 1
Iowa 3, Oklahoma City 2 in eight innings
An extra inning game during an Opening Day doubleheader meant Iowa fans got 15 innings of 54 degree baseball.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Mississippi 3, Tennessee 0
The Smokies outhit Mississippi, but they couldn’t get anyone over the plate.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Frederick 6, Myrtle Beach 2
The bullpen pitched four innings of one hit ball.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
West Michigan 6, South Bend 2
39 degrees, wind blowing out to center at 12 MPH. Yep, it’s April baseball in the Midwest League.
Other Notes
