The Pirates were snakebit by Major League Baseball’s new extra-inning rule in the 11th inning Monday at PNC Park, allowing a run that otherwise would not have scored had there not been a runner on second base to start the inning, capping a late collapse by the bullpen in their 6-5 loss to the Brewers.
As part of the league’s health and safety protocols this year, each team starts extra-innings with a runner on second, with the goal being to limit the number of additional innings played. So far, it has been effective, because while there have been a couple games that needed to go to overtime across the league, the Pirate and Brewers were the first teams to need to play an 11th inning this season.