Controversial call upheld to deny Dodgers at plate in Game 4 of NLCS
LOS ANGELES – Adrian Gonzalez’s vehement reaction gave every indication he was safe, and the replay on the Dodger Stadium video board appeared to agree.
The umpiring crew in New York did not.
"After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official could not definitively determine that the runner's hand contacted home plate prior to the fielder applying the tag," MLB said. "The call stands, the runner is out."
Game 4 of the National League Championship Series remained scoreless in the second inning when Gonzalez was ruled out at the plate trying to score from second base on Andrew Toles’ two-out single to right.
The throw from Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward arrived on time, and catcher Willson Contreras reached out and tagged Gonzalez in the face as he slid headfirst. The moment home plate umpire Angel Hernandez ruled him out, Gonzalez jumped and insistently motioned to the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout, signaling they should challenge the call.
It did appear Gonzalez’s hand slid over the plate a fraction of a second before Contreras’ mitt made contact with his face – and the crowd erupted in cheers upon watching the play on the board – but after looking at the evidence for two minutes and 51 seconds, the replay crew decreed the call stood.