It wasn’t surprising when Braves manager Brian Snitker challenged the call after center fielder Mallex Smith was called out on a close play at first base on Friday against the Phillies. The shock came when Major League Baseball replay officials in New York overturned the call.
It was the first replay challenge won by the Braves’ favor in 11 tries this season, according to MLB’s database. The Braves lost all nine replay challenges made by former manager Fredi Gonzalez and lost the only challenge previously made by Snitker, on Wednesday at Pittsburgh.
During the third inning Friday Smith, the Braves’ fastest runner, hit a well-placed bunt down the first-base line. Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola fielded the ball and scooped it to first baseman Ryan Howard as Smith stepped on the bag.
Umpire Gerry Davis called Smith out—incorrectly, it turned out. Smith scored later in the inning when Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer.
Smith now has been involved in three plays on the base paths that the Braves challenged. He was called out when trying to steal third base at Boston on April 28 and also while going for a triple on May 1 at the Cubs. Smith was called safe on a play at second base during the same game at Boston but the call was overturned after the Red Sox challenged.
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