Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Fan Interference Overturns Volpe Homer as Rays Sweep Yankees
The Yankees were playing the Rays in a playoff game.
Anthony Volpe hit a ball that looked like it might be a home run.
A fan reached over the fence and touched the ball while it was still over the field.
After watching video, the umpires said it was not a home run.
They gave the Yankees one run and put Volpe on second base.
The Rays still led 4-3 and won the game.
That victory gave Tampa Bay a sweep of the series and a place in the next round.
The fan was escorted out of the stadium.
In ALDS Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, Anthony Volpe’s apparent two-run homer was reviewed after a fan reached over the fence.
Replay showed the ball hit the fan’s hands over the field of play and bounce into the stands.
Umpires overturned the home-run call, awarded George Lombard Jr. a run, and placed Volpe at second with a double.
The Rays kept their 4-3 lead, won the game, swept the best-of-five series, and advanced to the ALCS.
The fan was escorted out; Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. and Yankees manager Aaron Boone said they believed the ruling was correct.
- Who
- Anthony Volpe and the New York Yankees faced the Tampa Bay Rays; a fan interfered with Volpe’s fly ball.
- What
- Replay overturned an apparent two-run home run, scoring George Lombard Jr. and placing Volpe at second with a double; the Rays won 4-3 and swept the series.
- When
- During the sixth inning of ALDS Game 3; no date is stated.
- Where
- Yankee Stadium, New York.
- Why
- Replay officials determined that a spectator reached into the field of play and touched the ball, preventing it from being ruled a home run.
Rays’ View
Yankees’ View
Whether the play was interference
Rays’ View
Victor Mesa Jr. said it was interference and believed he might have reached the ball; he said an out could also have been called.
Yankees’ View
Aaron Boone said he initially had concerns about the play and believed the replay showed the umpires made the right call.
Whether Mesa could have caught the ball
Rays’ View
Mesa said he believed he might have been able to get to the ball.
Yankees’ View
The replay ruling stated that the ball would not have been caught; Boone supported the ruling after reviewing the video.
- Game
- American League Division Series Game 3
- Final score
- Rays 4, Yankees 3
- Inning
- Sixth
- Replay ruling
- Spectator interference; no home run
- Award
- One run to George Lombard Jr.; Volpe placed at second
- Series result
- Tampa Bay swept the best-of-five series and advanced to the American League Championship Series
- After the ruling
- Security and police escorted the fan from Yankee Stadium