Run scores because of fan interference, a breakdown

What Happened

The game is tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 5th inning when New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo steps to the plate. Mets starting pitcher Chris Bassitt watches nervously from the dugout as Nimmo puts the ball in play. San Francisco Giants left fielder Blake Sabol makes a sliding catch, drawing an approving reaction from Bassitt. The next Mets batter pops the ball up in the air, and Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is unable to come up with the catch. The runner on first base remains there, and Bassitt shakes his head in frustration, his eyes widening in a similar reaction to Sabol's earlier play. The following Mets batter smashes a line drive to center field, but it's tracked down well by the Giants outfielder for the second out. Bassitt's face again betrays a mix of panic and relief as the play unfolds. With two outs, Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil hits a fly ball down the left field line. It lands just fair, but a fan in the stands reaches out and touches the ball, interfering with the play. Sabol initially seems confused, unsure if it was a foul ball, but the umpires quickly rule it a fair ball with fan interference. The umpires convene to determine where the runners would have advanced had the interference not occurred. They conclude the runner on first base, Pete Alonso, would have scored, so he's awarded home plate. Mets manager Buck Showalter nods in agreement with the ruling. Giants manager Gabe Kapler comes out to argue, but the umpires stand firm on their decision. Kapler asks to review the rule, but the umpires inform him that his request counts as a challenge, which the Giants have now lost. Kapler expresses his frustration, feeling the umpires should have clarified the situation before he made his request. As the game resumes, Alonso steps up to the plate against Bassitt. The veteran right-hander battles Alonso, ultimately striking him out to end the inning. A dejected Alonso breaks his bat over his knee in frustration. In a touching moment, Sabol walks over to the young fan who interfered with the play and fist-bumps him, reassuring the boy that it's okay and he shouldn't feel bad. The fan, visibly relieved, smiles and returns the fist-bump as his friend snaps a photo.

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tied at two two count bottom five Cobb

doesn't like that the ball is put in

play but the left fielder Sables

tracking it sliding makes the catch this

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