Cubs prevent a run as challenged call overturned

ST. LOUIS -- Cubs manager Rick Renteria challenged a call at first base that was overturned in the third inning on Saturday and prevented a run from scoring.

The Cardinals led 4-1 and had a runner at third with two outs in the third when Jon Jay hit a grounder to shortstop Starlin Castro, who snared the ball behind second base, spun and threw to first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who stretched and did the splits. First-base umpire Jerry Layne ruled Jay was safe, but Renteria challenged the call, and after a review of one minute and 25 seconds, the call was overturned.

Yadier Molina would have scored on the play if Jay had been safe. The Cardinals did have plenty of runs, beating the Cubs, 10-4, to even the series.

Rizzo and Castro both reacted to Layne's call, which was part of the reason Renteria wanted to challenge it.

"Your eyes tell you something, that it's kind of close," Renteria said. "You're also looking at the situation because it keeps the inning going, it gives them another run. As I'm walking out, everyone is doing the same thing, we're still reviewing it in our head and getting our looks into the dugout and it just worked in our favor."

Castro made a stellar play to get to the ball, and has impressed Renteria so far.

"From the other side, when we saw him as a player, we saw what he was capable of doing," Renteria said. "All we're trying to do is get to know him. He comes to the park every day wanting to play, wants to get out there, do whatever it takes. He's improving his game. Right now, defensively he's playing probably as good as you guys have seen him for awhile."

It was the first overturned call at Busch Stadium this season.