MLB Instant Replay Review 376: Jim Reynolds (13)

Instant Replay Review upheld 2B Umpire Jim Reynolds' out call in the top of the 6th inning of the Marlins-Nationals game. With one out and one on, Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark threw to shortstop Ian Desmond in an attempt to pick off Marlins baserunner Casey McGehee at second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Marlins Manager Mike Redmond, Reynolds' ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Marlins were leading, 3-0. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Jim Reynolds (77)'s MLBU-leading 13th Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth's 24th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Regular Season.

This is the 376th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Marlins Manager Mike Redmond's 16th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 195/376 (.519 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals, 5/26/14
Video: Play stands; Marlins are picked off at second on Replayed attempt in the 6th inning (MIA)

MLB Ejection & Replay Review Stats: Week 8 Sabermetrics

Ejection & Instant Replay Review Statistics and Sabermetrics are now available for MLB Week 8. As the numbers and trends begin to form, Close Call Sports and the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League continues with the strategic statistics reporting, the first measure of umpire-centric sabermetrics in professional baseball. Visit Instant Replay Review Statistics 101: Week 1 Sabermetrics for an introduction to Ejection & Replay Review definitions and terms, including Review Affirmation Percentage (RAP), also known as QOC (Quality of Correctness), Replay Percentage of Success (RPS), alternatively, 1.000 - RAP = RPS, and Manager's Challenge Success Percentage (CSP). Also included is Team Success Percentage (TSP), which includes all Replay Reviews; both Manager's Challenges and Crew Chief Reviews.

With Week 8 of the MLB Regular Season in the books, the UEFL recaps traditional ejections, plus professional baseball's "this time it counts" living experiment with Instant Replay Reviews.

NEW! We begin this week's sabermetric analysis with umpire ejections. Our sample size is n=60.
"Team most active" (Team with most Ejections): Tampa Bay Rays, NY Yankees - 5.
"Team least active" (Team with least Ejections): 9 Tied - 1.
"Manager ejections leader" (Manager ejected most often): Rick Renteria - 3 (1.000 QOC Y).
"Player ejections leader" (Player ejected most often): Daniel Murphy - 2 (.500 QOC Y).
"Umpire leader" (Umpire with most Ejections): Toby Basner, Fieldin Culbreth - 4 (Both 1.000).
"Crew most active" (Crew Chief whose crew has most Ejections): Fieldin Culbreth - 8 (.750).
"Most accurate umpire" (Umpire with greatest Simple QOC): Basner, Tim Timmons - 1.000 in 3/3.
"Overall QOC percentage" (Overall QOC Y value): .750 (33 Y / 11 N) + 16 Irrecusable = 60 Total.
"Team Status Pre-Ejection" (Winning-Losing-Tied [W-L-T] Record prior to Ejection): 11-32-17.
"Team Status Post-Ejection" (Game Record [W-L]): 19-41. (Delta: 8-9; WPCT: .471).

Next up is the category of Instant Replay Reviews. Our sample size is n=375.

Key bullet points:
"Team Most Used" (Made use of Replay Review most often): Chicago Cubs, Oakland A's - 20.
"Team Least Used" (Least use of Replay): Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles - 6.
"Manager's Challenge Leaders" (Most challenges filed): Rick Renteria - 19 (.526 CSP)
"Most successful Manager" (Manager with highest CSP): Mike Redmond - .909 in 10/11.
"League average Manager" (Average CSP for all Managers): .522
"Least successful Manager" (Manager with lowest CSP): Bryan Price - .250 in 2/8.
"Most successful team in review" (Team with highest TSP): Atlanta Braves - .800.
"Least successful team in review" (Team with lowest TSP): Cincinnati Reds - .182.
"Umpire most questioned" (Most Replay Reviews): Jim Reynolds - 12 (.583 RAP).
"Crew most questioned" (Crew Chief whose crew has most Reviews): Larry Vanover - 24 (.292).
"Most accurate umpire" (Umpire with greatest RAP): Bellino, Carapazza - 1.000 in 5/5.
"Umpire of greatest overturn" (Umpire with lowest RAP): Hoberg, Scott, Tumpane - .000 in 0/3.
"Overall affirmation or QOC percentage" (Overall RAP): .517 (194/375 Affirmed Replay Reviews).
Team Status Pre-Review (Winning or Losing prior to review [Win-Loss-Tied]): 124-156-93.
Team Status Post-Review (Game Record [W-L]): 181-192. (Delta: 57-36; WPCT: .613).

Actual data (Raw Data for Replay Reviews):

MLB Replay Reviews 374-375: Fletcher, Muchlinski (04, 03)

Instant Replay Review upheld 2B Umpire Andy Fletcher's out call in the top of the 1st and HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski's out call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Angels-Royals game. In the 1st, with none out and one on, Royals baserunner Jarrod Dyson attempted to steal second base off Angels catcher Chris Iannetta, who threw to shortstop Erick Aybar as Dyson slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Royals Manager Ned Yost, Fletcher's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the contest was tied, 0-0.

In the 7th, with two out and two on, Angels batter C.J. Cron hit a 0-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Kelvin Herrera on a line drive to right fielder Lorenzo Cain, who threw to catcher Salvador Perez as Angels baserunner R2 Albert Pujols slid into home plate. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, Muchlinski's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the contest was tied, 3-3. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s fourth Replay Review of 2014.
This is Mike Muchlinski (76)'s third Replay Review of 2014.
This is Crew Chief Mark Wegner's eighth, ninth supervised Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.

This is the 374th, 375th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Royals Manager Ned Yost's 10th Replay Review of 2014.
This is Angels Manager Mike Scioscia's 14th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 193/375 (.515 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 5/25/14
Video: Play stands; Dyson slides past second base on a ruling affirmed by Replay Review (KC)
Video: Play stands; Pujols is tagged out at home temporarily denying ANA the tying run (LAA)

MLB Instant Replay Review 373: Bill Miller (03)

Instant Replay Review upheld 2B Umpire Bill Miller's safe call in the top of the 3rd inning of the Cardinals-Reds game. With two outs and one on, Cardinals baserunner R1 Kolten Wong attempted to steal second base off Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco, who threw to second baseman Brandon Phillips as Wong slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Reds Manager Bryan Price, Miller's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Cardinals were leading, 1-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is Bill Miller (26)'s third Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Bill Miller's 23rd supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 373rd Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Reds Manager Bryan Price's 11th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 191/373 (.512 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds, 5/25/14
Video: Play stands; Kolten Wong steals 2nd base on "safe" call affirmed by Replay Review (ESPN)

MLB Instant Replay Review 372: Tim Welke (06)

Instant Replay Review overturned 1B Umpire Tim Welke's catch (out) call in the top of the 7th inning of the Nationals-Pirates game. With one out and two on, Nationals batter Ian Desmond hit a 1-1 fastball from Pirates pitcher Vin Mazzaro on a fly ball to right fielder Josh Harrison, who attempted to catch the ball as it descended towards the ground. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Nationals Manager Matt Williams, Welke's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Nationals were leading, 5-1. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Tim Welke (3)'s sixth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Tim Welke's 23rd supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 372nd Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Nationals Manager Matt Williams' 12th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 190/372 (.511 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Washington Naitonals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/25/14
Video: Play overturned; Harrison's diving attempt is reviewed and eventually ruled a drop (WAS)

MLB Instant Replay Review 371: Lance Barrett (06)

Instant Replay Review overturned 3B Umpire Lance Barrett's foul ball call in the top of the 6th inning of the Rangers-Tigers game. With one out and one on, Rangers batter Mitch Moreland hit a 1-0 changeup from Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander on a fly ball to left field near the foul line. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Rangers Manager Ron Washington, Barrett's ruling was reversed (R2 Elvis Andrus was awarded home plate; BR Moreland second base), the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Rangers were leading, 8-2. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 12-4.

This is Lance Barrett (94)'s sixth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Ron Kulpa's fifth supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 371st Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Rangers Manager Ron Washington's 13th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 190/371 (.512 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers, 5/25/14
Video: Play overturned; After ball hit past the umpire's position is ruled fair, runners are placed (TEX)

MLB Instant Replay Review 370: Jim Reynolds (12)

Instant Replay Review upheld 2B Umpire Jim Reynolds' safe call in the bottom of the 4th inning of the Diamondbacks-Mets game. With one out and one on, Mets batter Daisuke Matsuzaka bunted a 3-1 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher Zeke Spruill to catcher Tuffy Gosewisch, who threw to shortstop Chris Owings as Mets baserunner R1 Anthony Recker slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson, Reynolds' ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Diamondbacks were leading, 2-1. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Jim Reynolds (77)'s 12th Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Brian Gorman's 15th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 370th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson's sixth Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 190/370 (.513 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets (Game 2), 5/25/14
Video: Play stands; Sacrifice bunt force out attempt pulls SS off base for an extra baserunner (ARI)

MLB Ejections x3 & Replay: Larry Vanover, Stu Scheurwater

3B Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Rays SS Yunel Escobar, Red Sox LF Jonny Gomes and Rays DH Sean Rodriguez for fighting in the bottom of the 7th inning and Replay Review overturned 2B Umpire Stu Scheurwater's safe call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Red Sox-Rays game. In the 5th, with two out and two on, Rays batter James Loney hit a 2-2 fastball from Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman on the ground to shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who raced to second base as Rays baserunner R1 Will Myers arrived at the bag. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Red Sox Manager John Farrell, Scheurwater's rulings was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Rays were leading, 3-1.

In the 7th, with two out and one on, Rays baserunner R2 Yunel Escobar advanced to third base (defensive indifference) on a 0-0 strike thrown by Red Sox pitcher Edward Mujica. Replays indicate that following a verbal confrontation between the Red Sox bench and Escobar, there was a bench clearing incident involving fighting, the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Rays were leading, 8-3. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s second Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Larry Vanover (27)'s first, second, third ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Larry Vanover now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 3*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 6).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has -7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (-10 Prev + 3 U = -7).
This is Crew Chief Larry Vanover's 24th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 58th, 59th, 60th ejection of 2014.
This is the 24-26th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Escobar was 1-3, Gomes 1-1, Rodriguez 1-1.
This is the 369th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Rays' 4th, 5th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TB 5; BOS 3; TOR 2; BAL 1).
This is the Red Sox's 3rd ejection of 2014, 3rd in the AL East (NYY, TB 5; BOS 3; TOR 2; BAL 1).
This is Red Sox Manager John Farrell's 10th Replay Review of 2014.
This is Yunel Escobar's first ejection since Aug 18, 2012 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jonny Gomes' first ejection since July 14, 2013 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = Y [Late Time Req]).
This is Sean Rodriguez's first career MLB ejection.
This is Larry Vanover's first ejection since Aug 4, 2013 (Buck Showalter; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
Umpires are now 189/369 (.512 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 5/25/14
Video: Play overturned; Red Sox escape a fifth inning jam thanks to force out at second base (BOS)
Video: Defensive indifference on advance to third leads to bench-clearing brawl and ejections (TB)

MLB Replay Review & Ejection: Schrieber, Carlson (08, 1)

HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons for arguing an Instant Replay Review that upheld 2B Umpire Paul Schrieber's out call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Athletics-Blue Jays game. With one out and two on, Blue Jays batter Edwin Encarnacion hit a 2-2 curveball from Athletics pitcher Jim Johnson on a fly ball to center fielder Craig Gentry, who threw to Johnson as Blue Jays baserunner R1 Jose Bautista slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Blue Jays Manager Gibbons, Schrieber's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. Replays indicate Gibbons was ejected arguing the Replay Review, the call was correct. At the time of the review and ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 2-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Paul Schrieber (43)'s eighth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Mark Carlson (6)'s first ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Mark Carlson now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 1 point in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Prev + 1 Correct = 1).
This is Crew Chief Ted Barrett's 21st supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 57th ejection of 2014 and 24th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the 368th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Blue Jays' 2nd ejection of 2014, T-3rd in the AL East (NYY 5; TB 3; BOS, TOR 2; BAL 1).
This is Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons' 19th Replay Review of 2014.
This is John Gibbons' first ejection since August 22, 2013 (Scott Barry; QOC = N [Catch/Trap]).
This is Mark Carlson's first ejection since Sept 20, 2013 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = U [NEC/Warnings]).
Umpires are now 189/368 (.512 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 5/25/14
Video: Play stands; Schrieber's out call at second base is upheld as a force out; Gibb tossed (TOR)

2014 No-Hitter 1: Brian Knight (2; Josh Beckett) & Replay

Josh Beckett's no-hitter with plate umpire Brian Knight presiding Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia marked the first no-hitter of the 2014 MLB season. Knight was joined by Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth (1B), Manny Gonzalez (2B) and Seth Buckminster (3B). This is Beckett's first career no-hitter, a career-high 12-pitch performance.

Saturday's was Knight's second plate no-hitter (Jon Lester, 5/19/2008) and the first MLB no-hitter since July 14, 2013 (Mark Wegner; Tim Lincecum). Knight is the only member of this crew to have called a no-hitter.

Knight received 77 callable pitches from Lincecum, a total of 48 balls and 29 called strikes; the look:

Balls: 46 called balls outside of strike zone / 2 called balls within strike zone = 46/48 = 95.8% Accuracy.
Strikes: 26 called strikes inside strike zone / 3 called strikes outside strike zone = 26/29 = <90.0% Accuracy.
Total Raw Accuracy Score = 72/77 = 93.5% Accuracy (+1 in favor of LA Dodgers/Beckett).

Pitch f/x plot courtesy Brooks Baseball. NOTICE: This is a non-normalized plot and is not the basis for analysis!

MLB Instant Replay Review 367: Fieldin Culbreth (04)

Instant Replay Review upheld 1B Umpire Fieldin Culbreth's safe call in the top of the 3rd inning of the Dodgers-Phillies game. With one out and one on, Dodgers batter Andre Ethier hit a 0-1 sinker from Phillies pitcher A.J. Burnett on the ground to third baseman Cesar Hernandez, who threw to second baseman Chase Utley to first baseman Ryan Howard as Ethier arrived at first base, Dodgers baserunner R1 Adrian Gonzalez out at second. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg, Culbreth' ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Dodgers were leading, 2-0. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 6-0.

This is Fieldin Culbreth (25)'s fourth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth's 19th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 367th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg's 13th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 188/367 (.512 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 5/25/14 (Beckett: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 SO)
Video: Play stands; Ethier is safe at first base following a three-minute review on DP attempt (PHI)