Padres’ Xander Bogaerts Loses Homer on Controversial Fan Interference Call

By Oliver Wiener August 20, 2025 03:33

In a dramatic and controversial moment during the San Diego Padres’ game against the San Francisco Giants on August 18, 2025, Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts lost a home run due to a fan interference call that ignited heated reactions from players and fans alike. Bogaerts sent a deep fly ball to left-center field that initially was ruled a home run, only to be overturned after a lengthy video review.

The ball appeared to slip out of Giants left fielder Heliot Ramos’ glove and into the stands, just as two fans, including one wearing a Giants jersey, reached for it. While looking at the replay, officials ruled that although no direct contact with the baseball was clear, a fan "reached out over the field of play and interfered with a live ball,” which under MLB rules constitutes interference if it “clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball.” Because of this, the home run was nullified, and Bogaerts was ruled out on the play.

Padres manager Mike Shildt was visibly furious and vocally disagreed with the call. After being ejected for arguing the ruling, Shildt expressed his frustration: “There was no contact. It was a big run. Huge. I don’t typically bark at the league a lot, but the explanation we got was that it was clear there was some impediment. Clearly, he didn’t touch the baseball… If it’s so clear, how come it takes 2 minutes and 40 seconds to figure it out? If it’s clear, overturn it early; if it’s not, it’s a home run… That’s really disappointing. It cost us an opportunity to win a baseball game”.

The length of the review and the lack of definitive contact raised questions and dissatisfaction among Padres players and fans in the stadium, who booed the continuation of the game after the call.

Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos, meanwhile, defended the ruling, saying, “I thought I had an easier play, but as I was about to catch it, I saw that fan’s arm above me… it just clipped the finger a little bit… the fan was literally over me, his whole body across the wall.” Ramos noted that the fan’s shadow distracted him, which impacted his ability to make the catch.

Giants manager Bob Melvin agreed with the ruling, stating, “I think the fan reached over and just nicked him. If your hand’s over it, it can affect his vision.” However, such interference calls remain rare and controversial in baseball, often sparking intense debate about fan boundaries and fielder rights to make plays.

Despite the emotional setback, Bogaerts remained composed, showing his ongoing value for the Padres not just in powering the offense but in maintaining focus through adversity. This incident came during a tough game that the Padres ultimately lost 4-3, a defeat partly attributed to the momentum shift caused by the overturned homer.

The episode highlights the razor-thin margins in Major League Baseball, where video review decisions can dramatically change outcomes and impact playoff races. For the Padres, it also underscores the challenges this talented team faces as they fight to maintain foothold in the competitive National League West.

Looking ahead, Bogaerts remains one of the Padres’ most reliable offensive weapons. His resilience and clutch performance will be critical as the team seeks to move past this controversial moment and finish the season strong.

This fan interference ruling will be a memorable and hotly debated moment in the 2025 season, while the Padres regroup and prepare for the next challenge on their quest for postseason success.