Batting gloves the difference in bizarre out call in Game 4

ARLINGTON -- Marcus Semien couldn’t believe it.

The Rangers seemed primed to rally after the Astros’ big four-run fourth in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, and the second baseman had just singled to put runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the fifth.

Then, in a flash, Semien was doubled off -- because of the batting gloves in his back pocket.

Houston first baseman José Abreu caught a 108.6 mph line drive from Corey Seager and raced to tag Semien, who doubled back to the first-base bag. Abreu dove and grazed the index finger of a batting glove hanging out of Semien’s back pocket.

“I told José, I know in Cuba they don't play football, but you've got to tackle and make sure he doesn't get to the bag,” Astros manager Dusty Baker quipped.

And although Semien was originally called safe by first-base umpire Jordan Baker, the Astros challenged the play and got a crucial second out to stifle the potential Texas comeback and secure a 10-3 win on Thursday night at Globe Life Field to even the series.

Semien was shown on the FOX broadcast saying to Baker, “He touched my batting glove.”

According to the MLB rulebook, the person of a player is “any part of his body, his clothing or his equipment.” An MLB statement provided clarification of “91.TOUCH,” which in the Umpire Manual Rule Interpretation states the following:

“Regarding the definition of a touch, equipment intentionally placed somewhere by a player should be considered worn in its intended place.”

The statement went on to use this play as an example of the rule: “Batting gloves placed in a player’s back pocket are in the intended place on his person.”

Semien called the tag “a bit of bad luck,” but he credited Abreu for making the play. Abreu simply said the play happened fast enough to allow him to tag Semien.

“I’ve been keeping my gloves in my back pocket for my entire career, and that's never happened,” Semien said. “Of course in the ALCS it happens, and it's tough. We want to get a big inning there. We get two hits, Corey hits the ball hard and then suddenly it’s two outs.”