Rays challenge at Escobar's request, but call stands

MIAMI -- Rays manager Joe Maddon challenged and lost on a close call in the fifth inning of Tuesday night's contest at Marlins Park.

Yunel Escobar singled with one out in the fifth and tried to advance to second when the ball was thrown back into the infield to Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez.

Second-base umpire Chris Conroy called out Escobar, who slid head-first into the base. Escobar bounced up and gave the safe signal to the dugout. That prompted Maddon to walk onto the field and issue his challenge.

After a two-minute, 17-second review, the umpires ruled that the call stands.

"Again, I think that was decided based on non-conclusive evidence," Maddon said. "Based on my perspective, and even from Yuni, I thought he had tagged him high on the back on the armpit and his arm was in."

The Rays have had 20 challenges this season. Six have been overturned, six have had the call stand, and eight have been confirmed.