Royals win first challenge in finale with Sox

KANSAS CITY -- Chalk one up for Royals manager Ned Yost. He's won his first instant replay challenge.

That came in the White Sox sixth inning of their 5-1 win over the Royals on Sunday after first-base umpire Paul Schrieber ruled that Marcus Semien was safe on a play at first base. His ground ball had been fielded behind second base by Omar Infante, who threw cross-body to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

After Schrieber's safe call, Yost came out and issued his challenge. After 1 minute, 8 seconds, the umpire's decision was overturned. Semien instead was the second out.

Later in the Royals' half of the inning, White Sox manager Robin Ventura challenged another call at first base and that time Schrieber's decision was ruled to stand as called.

"It's working just like it's supposed to," Yost said. "All those calls out there today were bang-bang calls, I mean bang-bang calls. They were tough to see, I couldn't tell on our call that we won if he was out or safe. It was one of those where you go out and buy a little time for the video guys to look at it. Got the thumb's up and went ahead and appealed it."

This was Yost's second challenge. In his first on Friday, the umpire's decision at first base was confirmed. In the Royals' series at Detroit, the Tigers made two challenges and prevailed in both.

Yost agreed that it seemed as if a lot of calls are being overturned.

"It just goes to show you how difficult a job it is to be an umpire in this day and age," Yost said.