Three decisions changed the course of Saturday afternoon’s Pittsburgh Pirates versus Los Angeles Dodgers game and all had one commonality; instant replay.
It is extremely rare for a team to challenge three plays, let alone emerge victorious in each, however that was the case for the Pirates.
“It speaks to the importance of it and why we have it,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Every one of the calls was against us and could have changed the outcome of the game dramatically. Today was one of those outliers.”
Kevin Roach is in his 14th season as video coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates and his responsibility is to videotape each Pirates batter and pitcher during every game in addition to taping a majority of every opponent’s games. Additionally, Roach has the responsibility of communicating with coach Dave Jauss and Hurdle to determine if the Pirates should challenge a play.
“Basically I try to set up and anticipate if there is a challenge,” said Roach. “I’m looking at the angles that will be important and not waste any time.”
A lot of things are determined based on game flow.
The first challenge came in the first inning when Jimmy Rollins was ruled safe by second base umpire Tripp Gibson, after Francisco Liriano threw to Neil Walker at second. Jauss called Roach and the challenge was issued. 1-for-1.
The second Pirates challenge came in the top of the fifth inning on an Alex Guerrero ground ball. First base umpire Mark Wegner ruled Guerrero safe. Jauss again rang Roach and Hurdle walked to home plate umpire Gabe Morales. 2-for-2.
In the ninth inning, the Pirates challenged a Yasiel Puig ground ball. Wegner ruled Puig safe at first and that Jung Ho Kang’s throw had pulled Sean Rodriguez off the bag. Jauss turned to Roach with Hurdle waiting just past the top step of the dugout. Again, the walk was made to home plate. 3-for-3.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly challenged a play in the top of the third inning, however, that call scored making him 0-for-4 on challenges for the day.
The ninth inning challenge was the closest play of all the challenges and Mattingly did not seem to fully buy the call.
“It’s obvious that it is 100 percent clear and convincing,” Mattingly said. “I’m sure we’ll get a photo at one point that showed that his foot is 100 percent on the bag within the terms of the rules of clear and convincing.”
This season the Pirates have challenged 26 plays and have been successful in 15 of them, a success rate of 57.7%.
“If it’s a play we think we can challenge and win, we’ll do it,” Roach said. “If not, we’ll move onto the next one. I take pride in everything that I do and when we win challenges, I obviously enjoy that. I don’t like to lose a challenge but it’s just how the game flows. If you lose it, you lose it and move onto the next play.”
Photo credit: Keith Srakocic/AP Photo
