Fan Interference Call Denies Anthony Volpe Game-Tying Home Run in Bronx

During the sixth inning of ALDS Game 3, a fan in a navy-blue jacket reached into the field of play, resulting in Anthony Volpe's home run being overturned.

ESPN reports that a fan interference ruling in the sixth inning of Wednesday night's AL Division Series Game 3 at Yankee Stadium overturned a two-run home run by Anthony Volpe. With George Lombard Jr. on first base, Volpe hit a fly ball to left field that Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. pursued to the fence. Although the ball landed in the stands and was initially called a home run, a replay review determined a spectator in a navy-blue Yankees jacket reached beyond the fence and into the field of play.

Crew chief Dan Bellino announced the reversal, which credited Volpe with an RBI double rather than a home run. The Replay Official concluded that while the spectator interfered with the ball over the playing field, the ball would not have been caught by Mesa nor would it have cleared the fence on its own. This decision pulled the Yankees within one run, but the Rays maintained a 4-3 lead that held through the end of the inning after Spencer Jones struck out for the final out.

Major League Baseball issued a statement confirming that the Replay Official placed the batter-runner at second base and allowed one run to score based on umpire discretion. The incident occurred as wind blew from right field toward left, pushing the ball toward the fence where the contact occurred. This ruling marks another significant interference event in Yankees postseason history, following the 1996 Jeffrey Maier play involving Derek Jeter and the Baltimore Orioles.