Two reviews favor Phillies; one goes for Giants
Morse out at home, while Asche safe at first; game ends as out call stands
PHILADELPHIA -- The Giants settled for one run in the second inning of Monday night's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies after a replay review confirmed that Michael Morse was legitimately tagged out at home plate.
The play developed as Gregor Blanco rapped a two-out single to right field off Phillies starter Cliff Lee with Pablo Sandoval on third base and Morse on second. Marlon Byrd fielded Blanco's hit and fired an accurate, one-hop throw home. Sandoval scored but Cameron Rupp tagged out Morse, who tumbled over the Phillies catcher.
Crew chief Bill Miller initiated the review, which found that Rupp retired Morse without illegally blocking the plate.
Another replay review was called for with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg won a challenge on a play at first base in which Phillies third baseman Cody Asche was originally ruled out.
With the Giants leading, 6-4, Asche grounded a curveball from reliever Jean Machi to Sandoval at third base, who fired it to Adam Duvall at first. After a brief review, the ruling was overturned, as replay clearly revealed that Asche reached the bag before the ball was in Duvall's glove.
Sandberg's luck ran out in the bottom of the ninth, though, when he lost a challenge on the final play of the game, capping a 7-4 Phillies loss.
Domonic Brown trickled a ball down to Sandoval at third base and was called out on the ensuing throw to first. After a review of one minute and 37 seconds, replay determined that the call would stand.