Rockies win challenge on steal of third

DENVER -- The Rockies escaped a tight situation in the top of the fifth inning against the Royals on Tuesday.

Umpires quickly overturned third-base umpire Laz Diaz's safe call when Nori Aoki attempted to steal third with two out. Had Aoki been awarded the base, with Omar Infante running behind him, the Royals would have had runners at second and third with two out in a 1-1 game against Rockies left-hander Tyler Matzek

Instead, catcher Michael McKenry's throw and third baseman Nolan Arenado's sweep tag were ruled to have been in time, thanks to manager Walt Weiss' replay challenge.

For McKenry, who uses a low stance and concentrates more on blocking balls in the dirt than the running game, it was his fifth successful throw in 33 attempts this season (15.2 percent). Weiss has had 14 successes in 32 challenges this season.

Arenado gave the Rockies a 2-1 lead by knocking Royals starter James Shields' first pitch to him with one out in the bottom of the fifth for his 13th home run of the season.