Angels’ Rookie Loses Historic Streak in the Dumbest Way Possible
Los Angeles Angels rookie first baseman Nolan Schanuel was two games away from the second-best on-base streak to begin a career in MLB history... until Major League Baseball decided on a scoring change overnight.
When Schanuel woke up Saturday, an MLB scoring change took a hit away from him from last Saturday at Baltimore. The play that was once ruled an infield hit was ruled an error after an Orioles appeal. It was the second change to a play, meaning that no more appeals could be accepted and the Angels were not allowed to request a further review of the situation ending his historic on-base streak.
Schanuel hit a ground ball toward right field that Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle stopped on a diving play in the ninth inning. Mountcastle threw the ball to pitcher Mike Baumann, who couldn’t make the play while racing Schanuel to first base.
The play was originally ruled a hit and a throwing error on Mountcastle as Baumann was unable to come up with his low throw. The rare double change gave the error to Baumann instead. Here's a video of the play:
“I don’t think it was right, but they are the decision-makers,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “I certainly wanted to see history continue. Scorekeeper made a call, another group made another call.”
Because of the scoring change, the Angels are now tracking a different career-opening streak. They are tracking Schanuel reaching base via hit, walk, hit batter, or error which kept his streak at 36.
“Disappointing, but time to move on,” Schanuel said Saturday.
He reached base safely on Saturday night which extended the new streak being tracked to 37. But, it ended on Sunday when Schanuel went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.
