MILWAUKEE — Umpire C.B. Bucknor’s challenging start to the season persists.
Bucknor was officiating at first base during the Milwaukee Brewers’ 6-2 triumph against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday when he issued a ruling so patently erroneous upon review that it subsequently caused smiles from both team managers.
During the sixth inning, with Milwaukee holding a 4-2 advantage, Jake Bauers reached base on an infield hit. Bauers was initially declared out after Bucknor adjudged he had failed to touch first base. However, video evidence depicted Bauers unmistakably making contact with the very apex of the base, precisely in its center.
“I’m unsure what transpired,” stated Bauers, having declined numerous chances to elaborate on the erroneous ruling during his briefing with reporters after the game. He added, “I’m simply grateful for reaching base and advancing to register a run.”
This decision succeeded a period where Bucknor had demonstrated the least favorable outcomes among officials within Major League Baseball’s recently implemented Automated Ball-Strike System the previous weekend. During Cincinnati’s 6-5, 11-inning triumph against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, six out of eight challenges made against his calls proved successful.
Each of the six reversed rulings pertained to pitches initially deemed strikes that were subsequently reclassified as balls. The two upheld decisions, conversely, concerned one ball and one strike, respectively.
Brewers’ skipper Pat Murphy similarly dismissed inquiries regarding the ruling during his press briefing following the game.
“I will not reproach that decision,” Murphy stated.
Broadcast cameras displayed Murphy and Rays’ manager Kevin Cash grinning once the replay revealed the undeniable fact that Bauers had contacted the initial bag. Murphy subsequently faced inquiries concerning those responses.
“Kevin and I are acquaintances,” Murphy explained. “We hadn’t had an opportunity to converse prior to the contest, so we simply exchanged smiles.”
Bauers faced a query about his appreciation for MLB having an established replay system.
“Indeed, thankful for its existence,” he responded, accompanied by a chuckle.