The Detroit Tigers thought they had a walkoff win on Opening Day — until an umpire review intervened and took it back.
With the game tied at 10 in the bottom of the 10th inning, JaCoby Jones singled to left, and Tigers right fielder Nick Castellanos rounded third and headed home. The play at the plate was close, but Castellanos was ruled safe on the field, and the Tigers celebrated.
Naturally, there was a replay review, but the Pirates seemed convinced that it wouldn’t go their way, as they left the field. Both teams, however, were in for a surprise — Castellanos was called out to end the inning.
The #Tigers win on a walk-off single by JaCoby Jones, and then they don't. We're still playing … pic.twitter.com/nOnn0KmNyc
— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) March 30, 2018
Safe or out? What a CRAZY game in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/ww6GfJxXY6
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 30, 2018
It did appear that Castellanos may have been tagged. However, many were surprised to see the call overturned, as it was very hard to see any conclusive, definitive evidence — though the league replay official evidently did.
. @MLB replay ruling on @Tigers/@Pirates: “The Replay Official definitively determined that the catcher tagged the runner prior to the runner touching home plate.” @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 30, 2018
An amusing side effect? Ron Gardenhire was ejected from his first game as Tigers manager for arguing the overturn.
We’ve seen games end on controversial replay reviews before, but seeing a team celebrate and then have it taken away from them is certainly a new one.
