After replay, Rockies just miss turning triple play

DENVER -- The Rockies came within mere inches of their second triple play of the season during the top of the fifth inning Friday night against the Pirates at Coors Field, but instant replay upheld a call by umpire Tom Hallion that an out was not recorded at second base.

The Rockies led, 1-0, at the time.

With runners at first and second, the Pirates' Jordy Mercer grounded a Brett Anderson pitch hard to third baseman Charlie Culberson, who made a couple quick strides to the bag to force out Neil Walker. Culberson fired to shortstop Josh Rutledge, who covered second because the infield was shifted to the right side. Rutledge's throw to first beat Mercer.

However, Hallion ruled that Rutledge was off the bag at second when he received the throw from Culberson, so Russell Martin was called safe.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss challenged the call, but the replay determined that the call would stand. The ruling left him 11-for-26 on challenges this season.

The Rockies turned an around-the-horn triple play on May 18, with the help of a correct umpire call. The Padres' Seth Smith was ruled to have interfered with LeMahieu when he slid well inside the bag, reached across his body and hooked LeMahieu's foot with his hand.