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A's on wrong end of two replays in wild ninth

Twins' Suzuki scores tying run after reviews on close plays at third, plate

MINNEAPOLIS -- A's manager Bob Melvin has yet to win a challenge, coming up on the wrong end for a third time in Wednesday's 7-4 win in Minnesota.

It was the ninth inning of an eventual 11-inning escapade when former A's player Kurt Suzuki, who at the time represented the tying run for the Twins, was running from second to third on a bases-loaded blooper from Eduardo Escobar. Left fielder Yoenis Cespedes made a quick exchange to third baseman Josh Donaldson on the play, but third-base umpire and crew chief Bill Miller ruled Suzuki safe.

Melvin challenged the critical play, but umpires ruled that the play would stand as called.

"We were getting the out call," Melvin said. "We thought he was out. [Miller] didn't say anything to me, and I didn't go out there for confirmation or not. It's not going to do me any good."

"All Bill told me was that it stands, which means I guess there wasn't enough video evidence to overturn it," said Donaldson. "I felt him slide into my foot. When he slid into my foot I felt I had control of the ball."

Another close call ensued on the next play, a sacrifice fly to right field from Brian Dozier. Outfielder Josh Reddick unleashed an excellent throw to catcher Derek Norris, who appeared to tag Suzuki just after his opponent had slid his hand into home plate.

An umpire's review confirmed the ruling.

"I know Reddick and have watched him for a while and knew had a good arm that was accurate," Suzuki said. "So I tried to watch the catcher to find a place where I could avoid it. I knew it was going to be close."

"He extended the game with two nice slides," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He made a nice slide at home, and at third base I don't know what happened there. A big replay."

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB.
Read More: Oakland Athletics, Josh Donaldson, Kurt Suzuki