Friday’s fifth inning at Coors Field was a weird scene. The Dodgers led 2-1 and the rain was pouring down in sheets. But they kept playing — because, by rule, the Rockies had another half-inning to try to rally.
Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon was on second base, after he walked then stole over. Los Angeles pitcher Brett Anderson was hustling his pitches to the plate, soaked with water, trying to get the inning done before even more rain.
Corey Dickerson hit a grounder up the middle to second base. Justin Turner made a nice play to cut off the ball, then throw to first. But Dickerson was safe. And Blackmon, seeing that first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was facing away, broke for home.
In that instance, if Blackmon scores and the Rockies tie, then the game would not be called off. If he’s out, and the rain keeps up, the game can end early and stand at 2-1.
The latter happened.
Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal tags out the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon in a disputed play at home plate during the fifth inning Friday at Coors Field. (Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
Blackmon was called out at home by umpire Tim Timmons. Walt Weiss called for a video replay. The umps called New York.
And finally, after three minutes, Blackmon’s out was confirmed.
“I think I was safe. Was there enough evidence to overturn it? I don’t know,” Blackmon said. “The ball beat me there and a lot of times that can influence which way the call goes. But after looking at it, I can see him going either way.”
Weiss said something similar:
“Some angles he looks safe. But with replay, it has to be conclusive. It’s a close play. If the call on the field was safe, I don’t think it gets overturned.”
Weiss, though, liked Blackmon’s attempt and the “go” sign he got from third base coach Stu Cole.
“It was an aggressive play. Charlie’s the right guy. He’s a good baserunner. He made a turn at third the right way,” Weiss said. “Stu was down the line. It was the right play. We’re trying to force the issue there. If we can create something, that’s our mindset. Trying to push the tempo.”
Blackmon said he played the turn at third exactly how he wanted.
“I can’t just blindly go right there because if (Turner) eats it and doesn’t make a throw to first, I’m dead out,” he said. “I was ready to go and as soon as Stu gave me the sign, I was right there.”
Tags: Adrian Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson, Justin Turner, replay, Stu Cole, umpire, Walt Weiss
