NEW YORK — The problem with the interference call on Jayson Werth that short-circuited the Nationals’ attempt to rally in the ninth inning of their 9-7 loss to the Mets on Thursday night is not the application of Rule 6.01(j), the so-called Utley Rule. The problem is that it is about to be the All-Star break, and there is not clarity on how the rule is implemented.
The Nationals, starting with general manager Mike Rizzo reportedly getting into a verbal spat with umpire Jim Joyce after the game, and on down to manager Dusty Baker and Werth, were livid about what happened in a game that saw their lead in the National League East cut to three games.