MLB Replay Overturns Terrance Gore's Stolen Base, in Key Moment in Astros-Royals Game
By Jason Lisk
MLB replay is doing a bang up job this postseason. Two of what could be the most crucial plays have come down to a replay review, where the original call on the field was overturned, and it’s not even clear that the reversal was correct.
On Saturday night, we had the Chase Utley slide, where he was called safe on review despite never attempting to touch second base (and a play that MLB later called “illegal” in suspending Utley). Today, Terrance Gore came on as a pinch runner for Salvador Perez in the 7th, representing the tying run. He stole second base. He then stole third base, beating the throw. Valbuena blocked the base with his leg (and reacted with pain after the play because of it). Gore’s foot appeared to temporarily come off the base after being safe, while Valbuena leaned on him. Full disclosure: I live in Kansas City, but it’s hard to see clear evidence that Valbuena still had the glove on Gore at the time (as opposed to his wrist/forearm) and, add in the factor that a fielder can’t cause a runner to come off the base, it is certainly not the type of play that would seem to be clearly incorrect and requiring a reversal.
Yet here we are.