The official website analyzed why Andy Pages did not attempt to intercept the ball when Yoshinobu Yamamoto was hit for a home run, explaining that it was simply impossible to catch.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was on the verge of a no-hit game against the Baltimore Orioles, needing only one more out, before Jackson Holliday of the Orioles broke it up.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was one out short of a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles when Jackson Holliday smashed a home run. After the game, many fans questioned why right fielder Andy Pages did not try to catch the home run ball; the official MLB website explained that there was no chance for him to make the catch.

The home run that broke Yamamoto’s no-hit bid yesterday, hit by Holliday, traveled 362 feet (approximately 110.3 meters). Among MLB’s 30 stadiums, 20 would count this as a home run, but many fans wondered why right fielder Pages didn’t attempt to jump and catch the ball, instead stepping back to wait for it to bounce back.

According to multiple staff members at the Orioles’ stadium, reported by the MLB official site, the ball landed on a black railing in front of the seating area, which is not only 18 inches (about 45.7 cm) higher than the home run wall but also 4 feet (around 1.2 meters) away from it, effectively beyond the reach of the defense. Additionally, the nearby scoreboard stands 21 feet (6.4 meters) tall, clarifying why Pages chose to stop in the warning track area.

Regarding Pages’ defensive decision, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts defended his player, saying, “I believe if a player had a chance to make a spectacular defensive play during a no-hitter, they would give it their all. But again, I don’t want to comment further or rewatch the replay.”