Rare Fourth Out Rule Decides Red Sox-Blue Jays Play
A rulebook oddity decided the outcome. During a recent matchup between Boston and Toronto, the baseball world got a reminder that the rulebook contains clauses most fans never see invoked. With runners stationed at the corners and one out, Red Sox batter Enmanuel Rafaela sent a fly ball toward center field. What should have been a routine sacrifice fly instead became a complex play that hinged on an almost-never-enforced rule.
The confusion centered on outs. Both runners advanced off the bat, but crucially, they believed there were already two outs rather than one. That miscalculation proved catastrophic when the Blue Jays executed a double play, doubling Nick Sogard off first base. The runners' failure to account for the actual number of outs—thinking they had more freedom to take extra bases—put them in position to be retired.
Understanding the fourth out rule. Baseball's fourth out rule exists to address precisely these situations. When a runner misses a base or fails to tag up properly on a fly ball, the defense can appeal that play even after the batter is out. If the appeal is successful, it becomes the "fourth out," and the runner who was actually on base when the appeal was made is called out instead. This esoteric rule rarely surfaces because most baserunners pay close attention to the count.
Implications for both teams. For the Red Sox, the inning ended differently than it should have—a reminder of the importance of situational awareness and clear communication in the dugout. The Blue Jays capitalized on Boston's mental lapse, turning what could have been an offensive opportunity into a momentum shift. These kinds of plays can swing close games, particularly late in the season when every win matters in the standings.
Betting angle consideration. Unforced errors like baserunning miscues don't typically move betting lines, but they can influence how bettors view team discipline and execution down the stretch. Teams with frequent lapses may see their totals or run lines adjust slightly as sharper bettors factor in inconsistent play.
Source: original report ↗