Rockies–Nationals Game Ends on Pitch Clock Violation, a First in MLB History
![Jun 22, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) is greeted by shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) after scoring the tying run against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at Coors Field. Jun 22, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) is greeted by shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) after scoring the tying run against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at Coors Field.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5568,h_3132,x_0,y_384/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/si/01j12qcmnytth043cyp0.jpg)
The Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies were tied 7–7 in the bottom of the ninth inning in Denver on Saturday night, and Washington closer Kyle Finnegan was ready to end the game.
However, Finnegan committed a pitch clock violation as the bases were loaded, meaning the Rockies won on a walk-off solely based on the reliever's mistake. It's the first time in MLB history that a game has ended with a pitch clock violation since the rule was introduced in 2023—and certainly not the type of history Finnegan was hoping his name would be attached to.
The wild part is, Finnegan leads the league with pitch clock violations this season with nine total so far. This one definitely had the biggest ramifications, though.
WALK-OFF PITCH CLOCK VIOLATION! pic.twitter.com/77Y0HiM6Nd
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 23, 2024
"At first, I didn’t really know what he called because I thought I was right on time. I wasn’t,” Finnegan said, via MLB. “So it kind of dawned on me that I was too late. Just immediately, [I] felt awful about letting the team down in that big spot there. To lose the game in that way, it just can’t happen."
Fans couldn't believe their eyes when this happened late on Saturday night. Check out some of the social media reactions.
Just imagining a world where Game 7 of the World Series ends like this… https://t.co/zEmcqsR9uB
— 🇯🇲 Sickos Committee 🇯🇲 (@SickosCommittee) June 23, 2024
A pitch violation is the lamest way to “walk it off” in sports.
— Tonya Bailey (@tbailey1976) June 23, 2024
Imagine if this is how the World Series ended
— JC_XCV (@JC_XCV) June 23, 2024
Gonna be wild when this is how the Rockies win World Series Game 7 this year. https://t.co/KIaY5aamtc
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) June 23, 2024
Chalk that up as something I didn't think I'd ever see happen. Wow. https://t.co/JTzqJ66Psb
— JakoAndrew (@JakoAndrew) June 23, 2024
It’s absurd. And beautiful. https://t.co/jbSnUJzJnc
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) June 23, 2024
The way baseball was always meant to be played. https://t.co/DA8y6gU5FA
— Zach Moore (@mooreonzach) June 23, 2024
First one in league history. Figures it happened at Coors Field #Rockies https://t.co/0Yr85DCgUC
— Luke Zahlmann (@lukezahlmann) June 23, 2024