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The home team leads after the top of the ninth inning. What happens?

The game ends. The home team does not bat in the bottom of the ninth.

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  1. The home team bats anyway
  2. The game is over ✔
  3. They play a tenth inning

Why: If the home team is ahead after the visitors make their last three outs in the ninth, the home team wins and skips its turn at bat. That is why an X sometimes appears on the scoreboard.

Huh, didn't know that: If the game is tied after nine, it goes to extra innings.

The dad joke
Why did the home team skip the ninth? They did not need the extra batter-y.
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References

Answer: The game is over. If the home team is ahead after the visitors make their last three outs in the ninth, the home team wins and skips its turn at bat. That is why an X sometimes appears on the scoreboard.

  1. MLB Glossary: Regulation Game www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/regulation-game
    the home team wins and does not have to come to bat in the bottom of the ninth
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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