Royals frustrated after crucial overturn on Bobby Witt Jr.'s eighth inning stolen base vs. Mets: ‘It was a joke’

Two games, two close calls. 

The Mets have won a pair of challenges on Royals stolen base attempts late in the game during each of the first two contests of this weekend’s set. 

With Kansas City trailing by a run in the eighth on Friday, pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert appeared to swipe second, but after a Mets challenge the replay revealed that he popped off the bag and was called out. 

Saturday’s call was just as close, but much less conclusive. 

Again with Kansas City trailing by a run in the eighth inning, All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was called safe after seemingly beating the throw and tag — setting up the heart of the order with a chance to tie the game. 

However, after a lengthy review, it was determined that Witt had popped off the bag at some point during his slide while Francisco Lindor was applying the tag and he was called out — ultimately ending the threat. 

Kansas City’s dugout immediately erupted in frustration.

“I think it was a joke,” second baseman Jonathan Indiatold reports postgame. “I mean, yesterday’s was a joke too, I don’t think that’s right — I think he was safe, there was not enough evidence to overturn that there.”

“Witt beat the throw there clearly, that part wasn’t in dispute,” manager Matt Quatraro added. “Those guys do a good job keeping the tag on, I can see why they overturned yesterday’s call, but I don’t see why they overturned this one today.”

Whether you agree with it or not, it went down as an out in the books.

It proved to be a big one for the Mets too, as it not only eliminated the eighth inning threat, but it also allowed them to keep All-Star closer Edwin Diaz out for a second inning of work. 

Carlos Mendoza was sure to give credit to Harrison Friedland, the team's Replay Analyst.

“Huge one there by Harrison, back-to-back days with it,” the skipper said. “Yesterday was the same thing, I thought yesterday it was a lot clearer — watching it on replay today I’m just going to rely on him there.

“I thought we were just taking a chance when [John Gibbons] told me to review it, and then I asked him and I was like call back, and Harrison was pretty sure he came off the bag — that was a big play there, assist to him.”

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