Los Angeles Angels fielder Jo Adell endures fielding howler in MLB clash against Texas Rangers 

Los Angeles Angels’ Jo Adell commits embarrassing ‘four-base error’ by accidentally knocking a routine fly ball over the outfield fence

  • Angels right fielder Jo Adell committed a rare four-base error on Sunday by misplaying a routine fly ball that popped out of his glove and flew over the fence
  • The official scorer changed what would have been Rangers infielder Nick Solak’s first homer of the season to an error after consulting with the Elias Sports Bureau
  • Elias isn’t aware of any precedent for a four-base error on a ball that went over the wall, although Jose Canseco committed a similar error for Texas 27 years ago

Los Angeles Angels rookie right fielder Jo Adell has been in the Major Leagues for less than a week, but already has a signature highlight: a four-base error in Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Texas Rangers.  

Adell was charged with the rare feat when a routine pop fly bounced out of his glove and flew the few remaining feet over the fence.

Nick Solak hoped the original ruling of a home run would stand, but knew right away it hadn’t when he saw a Texas hit replaced by a Los Angeles error on the scoreboard two innings later.

The official scorer changed what would have been Solak’s first homer of the season to an error after consulting with the Elias Sports Bureau. Elias said it wasn’t aware of any precedent for a four-base error on a ball that went over the wall.

It’s not the first time the Rangers have been caught up in a strange home run play – or non-homer, in this case. A little more than 27 years ago, Jose Canseco was playing right for Texas when a deep fly bounced off his head and over the fence.

Jo Adell suffered an embarrassing mishap for Los Angeles Angels against Texas Rangers

Nick Solak's strike should have been an easy catch for the right fielder, but he spilt the shot

Nick Solak’s strike should have been an easy catch for the right fielder, but he spilt the shot

‘I think I deserve a home run for sure,’ said Solak, who still had two hits and scored two other runs. ‘You know, you think like the Canseco play, I don’t even know how that was scored, hopefully a home run.

‘But as a hitter I’m always kind of, if I was a scorer, I’d always err on the side of giving guys more hits. But that’s me personally, so I don’t know.’

The Canseco ball was a homer for Carlos Martinez in Cleveland in 1993, but the big slugger was running toward the wall when the ball eluded his glove and bonked off his head.

Adell was drifting toward the warning track when he said he lost the ball as he turned his shoulder. By the time he found it again, the ball was right on top of him. He reached out quickly with his gloved left hand, and the ball popped out before clearing the fence.

Once he realized what happened, Adell put his hands over his head and stared toward the retractable roof in the Rangers’ new $1.2 billion stadium. Later came a conversation with star center fielder Mike Trout.

Adell was devastated after only making his Major League Baseball debut a week beforehand 

‘He just told me that it ain’t going to be the last time things like that happen,’ said Adell, who struck out all four times up in his fourth big league game. ‘It’s one of those things where it sucks, but it’s not the first time that that’s happened in baseball. It’s difficult.’

Texas manager Chris Woodward said he intended to ‘fight’ to get the ruling turned back into a homer. Rangers catcher Jeff Mathis said he didn’t even know until reporters told him after the game that Solak’s long ball was scored an error, not a homer.

‘It’s an embarrassing play for a fielder and it’s tough,’ Angels manager Joe Maddon said. ‘I went over and talked to him briefly and I thought he dealt with it well.’  

‘It’s gonna have to be me just settling in, figuring out my groove and understanding it’s a game and things happen,’ Adell said, reflecting on the game. 

‘You make mistakes. Just go out and do you. I think I’m not there yet. I’m ready to get there. I’m on my way to getting there. 

Solak initially celebrated a home run before the error was judged to be a four-base error

Solak initially celebrated a home run before the error was judged to be a four-base error

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