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Tigers' Ausmus loses challenge on play at plate

DETROIT -- After watching the available replay angles, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said after Thursday's 9-2 loss to the Rangers that he doesn't understand why the safe call on a third-inning play at the plate was ruled to stand.

With the Rangers leading, 4-0, home-plate umpire Ron Kulpa said that Adrian Beltre beat the tag from catcher Alex Avila. Beltre was attempting to score after Miguel Cabrera misplayed a hopper to first base and threw home. Ausmus challenged, and the call stood after a brief review of 1 minute and 30 seconds.

"I don't think it made a lick of difference in the game today, obviously," Ausmus said. "But based on what I saw, he looked out."

Ausmus was quick not to fault Kulpa, saying that it would've been impossible for him to see it live.

"There's no way any umpire could see it at regular speed," Ausmus said.

But he felt that the replay showed Beltre's foot going over home plate and not touching it. Ausmus pointed to the fact that you can see the shadow of Beltre's foot as it passes over the plate.

"But maybe they have another angle," Ausmus said. "Every once in a while, supposedly, they have another angle that we don't have."

Matt Slovin is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Detroit Tigers, Adrian Beltre, Miguel Cabrera, Alex Avila