Angels, A's make MLB history by being first to play under 2020 rule for extra innings

Tom Gatto

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Angels, A's make MLB history by being first to play under 2020 rule for extra innings image

MLB, fans and media got their first look at the 2020 version of extra innings Friday night. They saw exactly one additional frame.

The Angels and A's did the honors in Oakland after LA tied the game in the top of the ninth. Under rules that are similar to ones in place in the minor leagues, the Halos put Shohei Ohtani, who made the last out in the ninth, on second base to begin the 10th. Ohtani promptly ran into an out and the Halos eventually stranded the bases loaded. 

Up came the host A's, who started their half with Marcus Semien on second. He stayed on the bases and eventually trotted home on Matt Olson's walk-off grand slam. Oakland had a 7-3 victory for the books.

People took the time to tweet their thoughts on the rule, which is intended to reduce the length of some games and reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread at parks. The reactions were more negative than positive, at first glance.

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Oh, yeah, forgot to mention the Angels' five-man infield once the potential winning run reached third.

MORE: John Smoltz backs runner-on-second MLB rule change for 2020

Two days into this abbreviated season, the baseball world has something unusual to discuss.

Tom Gatto

Tom Gatto Photo

Tom Gatto joined The Sporting News as a senior editor in 2000 after 12 years at The Herald-News in Passaic, N.J., where he served in a variety of roles including sports editor, and a brief spell at APBNews.com in New York, where he worked as a syndication editor. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of South Carolina.