NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez was called out for interference

when he swatted at Boston pitcher Bronson Arroyo's glove and

knocked the ball loose during a play near first base in the eighth

inning of Game 6 of the AL Championship Series Tuesday night.

A-Rod brought on controversy -- and riot police -- with this swat of Arroyo's arm in the eighth. AP

With one out and Derek Jeter on first after his RBI single cut

Boston's lead to 4-2, Rodriguez hit a grounder down the first-base

line that Arroyo fielded. While Arroyo ran toward Rodriguez to tag

him out, the Yankees third baseman stuck out his left hand and

slapped the pitcher's glove. The ball was knocked loose and rolled

down the right-field line. Jeter came all the way around to score

and first-base umpire Randy Marsh ruled Rodriguez safe.

"That was unprofessional. That's against the rules," Boston's

Kevin Millar said. "If you want to play football, strap on some

pads and go play for the Green Bay Packers."

First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and other Red Sox players argued with Marsh,

saying that Rodriguez interfered with Arroyo. Boston manager Terry

Francona also came out to argue the call, and the six-man

umpiring crew -- plate umpire Joe West had a clear view of the play

-- convened to discuss it.

"I didn't know what the ruling was at first," Arroyo said. "I

knew what he had done, but I wasn't sure it was legal. He hit my

arm and jolted the ball loose."

According to Section 6.1 of the MLB Umpire Manual, "While

contact may occur between a fielder and runner during a tag

attempt, a runner is not allowed to use his hands or arms to commit

an obviously malicious or unsportsmanlike act."

The umpires decided to change the call, ruling that Rodriguez

was out on interference and Jeter had to go back to first base.

Replays clearly showed that Rodriguez intentionally stuck out his

hand.

"Years ago, that process wasn't used all the time," Marsh

said. "It's better for the game, it's better for umpiring, it's

better for the league."