Bob Schaefer, Meet Billy Dee Williams

From Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com:

The Dodgers literally were awarded a gift run in the second inning Sunday when a rarely seen "fourth-out rule" was invoked in their game against the D-backs.

Andre Ethier was at third base, Juan Pierre at second, and with one out, Randy Wolf lined out to pitcher Dan Haren, who threw to second baseman Felipe Lopez, who tagged out Pierre off second base for the apparent third out of the inning.

But by the time Pierre was erased, Ethier had crossed the plate. The D-backs left the field without making a play on Ethier at third base, which would have been the fourth out of the inning.

But as the teams changed sides, plate umpire Larry Vanover walked over to third-base umpire Charlie Reliford, apparently to discuss the play, which Dodgers bench coach Bob Schaefer pointed out to manager Joe Torre, who went out to appeal.

And from Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times:

"I still don't really understand the rule," said pitcher Dan Haren, the victim of Dodgers bench coach Bob Schaefer's encyclopedic knowledge of baseball's on-field legislation.

Dodgers bench coach Bob Schaefer.

Earlier: Rule 7.10(d) of the Official Baseball Rules (SoSG)

Schaefer photo: Getty Images