Athletics botch rundown against Royals that ends in an inadvertent tackle and error

Oakland third baseman Jonah Bride fielded the ground ball in the bottom of the first inning of Saturday’s game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium and tried to take the easy way to getting the third out.

Bride instead was knocked to the ground and charged with an error.

Royals left fielder Andrew Benintendi was on second base when right fielder Edward Olivares grounded to Bride. Benintendi was running toward third base, and Bride attempted to tag him.

Benintendi eluded the tag and ran back toward second base with Bride in hot pursuit. After Bride threw the ball to second baseman Nick Allen, Benintendi turned to run back to third.

Instead, he ran into Bride and both fell to the ground. MLB.com’s Anne Rogers shared video of the play.

Bride was charged with an error for obstruction and Benintendi took third base.

Oakland manager Mark Kotsay argued vehemently that Benintendi was out of the base path and should have been ruled out. There were a smattering of boos around the stadium as Kotsay pleaded his case.

The Royals nearly took advantage of the weird play, but Oakland left fielder Tony Kemp made a sensational catch to rob MJ Melendez of a hit.