Written by Derek Harvey at Bloguin
This afternoon, the Houston Astros played host to the Kansas City Royals. This was Game 4 of the American League Division Series and the Astros had a 2-1 lead. If the Royals lose, they’re out of the playoffs. Obviously it’s a very important game. Arguably it’s the most important game of the year because it’s going to impact just about every other playoff race.
Cut to the top of the seventh inning. The Astros are leading by a score of 2-1. Mike Moustakas grounds out. Salvador Perez is hit by a pitch and replaced on the bases by lightning fast Terrance Gore. He immediately steals second base. Alex Gordon strikes out. Terrance Gore proceeds to steal third base. The Astros issue a challenge. Now begins the controversy.
Terrance Gore slides feet first. Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena applies the tag late. This is not in dispute. However Gore only has one foot on the bag. As his momentum finishes carrying him towards the base that foot pops up about an inch and only momentarily. Valbuena keeps the tag on. He does not push Gore’s leg off. At least not in my opinion. It’s the momentum that makes Gore’s foot lose contact with the base. Ultimately the call is overturned.
Remember that this is an elimination game that has far reaching impact on the entire playoff landscape. The Astros would come back the next inning and seemingly blow the game open by taking a 6-2 lead. They’d lose that lead as the Royals scored five runs an inning later. But that shouldn’t change how we view the nature of the overturned call.
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