Confusion over scoreboard, number of outs sends Red Sox-Blue Jays game into long delay

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox game came to a halt halfway through the seventh inning on Monday, as the incorrect number of outs shown on the Rogers Centre scoreboard sent the game into chaos and the umpires into lengthy deliberation.

The situation resulted in a long delay, Boston’s first run of the contest and heavy booing from the home crowd.

After two Red Sox singles to start the top of the seventh, Nick Sogard sent a line drive to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base. The Jays slugger dove for the ball, caught it on a bounce and fired a throw to second to get the first out. The play, however, was recorded as a double play on the stadium video board operated by MLB and by the official scorer’s announcement in the press box.

When, in the next at-bat, Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela flied out to center, the Red Sox runners on first and third broke on contact as if there were two outs. Jays outfielder Brett Bateman caught the ball and Toronto relayed it in to get the third out at first base.

The ENTIRE FIELD thought there were two outs (scoreboard even had it)

Umps have been deliberating for 15 minutes, but it seems the #RedSox might still get a run out of this? pic.twitter.com/8xe7uvfnW9

— NESN (@NESN) August 11, 2026

The game then went into a long pause. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy and Jays manager John Schneider popped out of their respective dugouts. The umpire crew, led by crew chief Chris Guccione, met and talked with both managers.

“The runner at third base did not tag and crossed home plate before the out at first was recorded,” Guccione announced to the stadium. “We are going to New York to do a rules check.”

The home crowd booed, and then waited several more minutes before the umpires spoke again.

“Alright, the run is going to score,” Guccione eventually announced to further boos.

The game finally resumed, with Toronto leading, 2-1.

This story will be updated.