Red Sox, O'Neill confused by interference rule: 'Not too sure how that works'

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Tyler O'Neill was on the wrong side of an interference call during Wednesday's 3-2 win against the Seattle Mariners that left him and his team confused.

O'Neill was called out after bumping into Mariners infielder Justin Turner as he returned to first base during an infield pop-up, resulting in an inning-ending double play in a tight 2-2 game.

The play immediately drew ire from O'Neill, the Red Sox, Fenway Park, and the broadcast after second baseman Jorge Polanco caught the ball instead of Turner.

"I don't know what else I can do, honestly," O'Neill said after the game, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.

"I took a step back towards the bag. I wasn't making an effort to get in the way. I didn't think there was anyone that was going to be in the way. It definitely felt like there was some intent there."

Rule 6.01(a)(10) of MLB's rulebook states: "It is interference by a batter or a runner when he fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball."

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after the game he wants the league to take a look at the play because he didn't understand how O'Neill was supposed to avoid the fielder in this situation.

"That's tough luck. It wasn’t even Turner's ball. He didn't end up catching it, so I don't know," O'Neill said.

"The umpire said it was a new rule from MLB. I'm not too sure how that works. MLB is able to just flip the switch on us and switch some rules up."

This isn't the first time this season that the interference rule has left people scratching their heads. The Baltimore Orioles won a game against the Chicago White Sox in May after a controversial interference call ended the contest.