Salvador Perez's baserunning error confuses umpires, proves costly for Royals
This weekend's Tigers-Royals series definitely has a postseason feel to it. And really, what's a postseason series without something bizarre or controversial happening?
We definitely saw one of the strangest, most confusing plays of the season in Saturday's game. With the game tied at one in the sixth inning and Kansas City threatening with runners on second and third and one out, Omar Infante hit a soft liner that second baseman Ian Kinsler snatched with relative ease for the second out.
It was a routine play, and that should have been the end of it. However, Kinsler got a little greedy and attempted to double off Eric Hosmer at second base.
There was never a real play to be made, and Kinsler's odd decision appeared disastrous as the throw sailed past a seemingly unprepared shortstop Eugenio Suarez. After Hosmer tagged up at second base, he moved to third safely. Meanwhile, Salvador Perez, who was running at third, took off for home and appeared to score the go-ahead run.
One problem. Unlike Hosmer, he never retagged the base.
Though it wasn't initially noticed by third-base umpire Larry Vanover, it was noticed by backup Tigers infielder Hernan Perez, who alerted manager Brad Ausmus in the dugout. The Tigers ran an appeal, which at first wasn't picked up by the Fox national broadcast. But it did happen, and Salvador Perez was ruled safe.
Tigers did throw over to third, for those asking.
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) September 20, 2014
Now, here's where it got confusing for everybody. After the call was made, Ausmus came out to argue that Perez didn't tag, though he said after the game he did not attempt to challenge the call. The umpires initially huddled, then went to the headphones to get a ruling from New York. All the while, the replay was being shown on the Kauffman Stadium videoboard as if an official review was underway, but the umpires were quickly informed it was not a reviewable play per the league's replay policy.
From MLB: Play was not reviewable. The on-field umpire was told that the play was not reviewable. He was given no additional information.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 20, 2014
It was up to the umpires to change the call if they felt necessary, and after huddling once again, the decision was ultimately made to reverse it. Whether or not another umpire saw it initially, or perhaps was even influenced by the replays shown in the stadium, which per MLB rules should not have been going on, is not known for sure.
For what's it worth, Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal talked to Vanover after the game and received this explanation.
I asked Vanover if the umpires are allowed to look at the video board for help; the replays shown at the park clearly illustrated that Perez had not tagged properly. But Vanover said no, they are not allowed to look at the scoreboard.
Maybe they did look. Maybe they didn't. But they did change the call, and after a near five minute delay, they got it right. Even if the process itself was cloudy and perhaps even handled improperly, at least they can hang their hat on getting it correct.
That will satisfy most onlookers. Of course, it won't satisfy those who push for the process and pay attention to details, and it especially won't satisfy Royals' fans. Their team ended up losing a run that could have in many ways changed the course and outcome of the game. Though Ned Yost did not protest the call on the field, it's reported the Royals are exploring that option now.
Royals officials are in discussions with MLB headquarters to see if they have any recourse in terms of protesting this game.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) September 20, 2014
As it stands now, the game continued with Detroit scoring twice in the seventh and holding on for a tense 3-2 win. Chances are that's how it will remain, but nothing is official until it's official.
A one run defeat under those circumstances would be difficult for Kansas City to swallow. But the entire situation would have been avoided had Perez simply taken one more step and tagged the base. It starts there, but the Royals will hope it's not a moment that ultimately leads to their end.
With the loss, Kansas City falls to 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central. They will meet again on Sunday. Kansas City also falls into a temporary tie with Seattle for the second wild-card spot. Another key thing to remember is Kansas City will resume a suspended game with Cleveland on Monday trailing 4-2 in the 10th. Needless to say, this could prove to be a disastrous stretch.
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is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
