Reds win 2 key reviews; Yost ejected in 11th
CINCINNATI -- The Reds saw two replay challenges swing in their favor against the Royals on Tuesday night. But they were not enough to prevent Kansas City from earning a 3-1 victory in 13 innings.
Inheriting a 1-0 lead, Reds All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman saw his streak of 56 consecutive saves at Great American Ball Park come to an end when Ben Zobrist led off the ninth inning with a home run to left field. Lorenzo Cain followed with a single. Chapman paid Cain little attention, and with one out and Salvador Perez batting, Cain stole second base, then swiped third.
With the Reds' infield moved in, Perez followed with a grounder to second base. Brandon Phillips fired to third baseman Todd Frazier, who threw home to put Cain in a rundown. Catcher Brayan Pena threw to shortstop Eugenio Suarez, who threw home to Frazier, covering by the plate. Cain tried to evade Frazier's tag while sliding headfirst and was ruled safe by home-plate umpire Mark Carlson after touching the plate.
Reds manager Bryan Price immediately challenged the call. After a review, the call was overturned and Cain was ruled out to preserve the 1-1 tie. Price credited video manager Rob Coughlin for his work in the clubhouse.
"It's a Rob Coughlin special," Price said. "We really are deferring those decisions to the video room and to Rob Coughlin. We know Rob will feel if there's an out or safe or he's not 100 percent sure. What we've found is unless there is real evidence to the contrary, calls don't get overturned unless there is clear and obvious shot where that call should be overturned. That's the way it should be."
Video: KC@CIN: Escobar out at second after review in 11th
In the top of the 11th on Alcides Escobar's liner to right-center-field, Billy Hamilton made a diving attempt but one-hopped the ball. In a spectacular play as Escobar went for a double, Hamilton got up and fired a throw to second base. Suarez applied a tag as Escobar slid feet first and was called out by umpire Gabe Morales.
Royals manager Ned Yost challenged the ruling, but after a review, the replay official determined that the call stands because video replays could not determine if Escobar touched second base before the tag.
Video: KC@CIN: Yost ejected in the 11th after arguing review
Yost argued the decision and was immediately ejected by Carlson, the crew chief.
"It boggled my mind that they didn't overturn that play," Yost said. "It was obvious to me in the replays that he was safe and New York said it was inconclusive. Cain's was inconclusive, Escobar's wasn't in my opinion. That's the reason why we have instant replay to get those plays right. I don't know what happened."