Porter wins challenge in tight game vs. KC
Safe call on Royals' Cain overturned in ninth inning at Minute Maid Park
HOUSTON -- Astros manager Bo Porter successfully challenged a call on the field in the ninth inning of a tied game against the Royals on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park. There was no score in the frame, and Houston fell, 6-4, in 11 innings.
Kansas City center fielder Lorenzo Cain led off the ninth inning against Houston reliever Josh Fields with a grounder to shortstop Marwin Gonzalez, who threw to first baseman Jesus Guzman in a close play. First-base umpire Dale Scott ruled that Cain was safe, and Porter came out to challenge.
The play was reviewed for two minutes, 54 seconds before the call was overturned when it showed the ball narrowly beat Cain to the base. It was the second successful challenge in three tries for Porter.
Fields got the next two batters on popouts to end the 1-2-3 inning.
Because the call was overturned, Porter retained his ability to challenge another play during the game. No manager may challenge more than two plays in a game. Once the manager has exhausted his ability to challenge plays during the game and after the beginning of the seventh inning, the crew chief may choose to invoke instant replay on any reviewable call.