Ausmus gets call overturned; Tigers capitalize for run

MINNEAPOLIS -- A replay challenge from Detroit manager Brad Ausmus after a close call at third base Saturday night extended a third-inning rally in the second game of the day-night doubleheader between the Tigers and Twins.

A line-drive single by Victor Martinez initially looked like it would leave Torii Hunter stuck at second base. Left fielder Jordan Schafer's decision to wait for the ball instead of charging it, however, gave Hunter the extra second he thought he needed to round second and go to third.

Schafer's throw arrived right around the same time as Hunter, but third baseman Trevor Plouffe had to stay up for the ball and swipe down to make the tag, giving Hunter the room to slide underneath. Third-base umpire Stu Scheurwater initially called Hunter out, but Hunter stayed on the bag as Ausmus hopped to the dugout steps waiting for the signal from replay coach Matt Martin.

Replay showed Hunter was on the base ahead of the tag. The only question was whether his foot stayed on the bag. While his foot strayed to the side of the bag, it never seemed to lose contact.

After a review, the call was overturned. One batter later, J.D. Martinez singled in Hunter to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.

Ausmus improved to 19-for-31 on replay challenges.