Roman Anthony Explains Crucial Late Game Challenge Decision
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony changed the game with his challenge decision in the ninth inning of the season opener against the Cincinnati Reds.
Roman Anthony Explains Crucial Late Game Challenge Decision originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The automated ball-strike challenge system is going to change baseball.
In the Boston Red Sox series opener, that was immediately on display. In the top of the ninth inning, with the Red Sox leading the Cincinnati Reds by a run, Roman Anthony was called out on strikes with a runner on and two outs. The count was full before the pitch, so Anthony wound up on first base when the call was reversed.
Trevor Story and Jarren Duran followed Anthony with two singles, plating two runs and extending the lead to three. After the game, Anthony talked through his decision to challenge. "I was pretty sure, I feel like I know the zone pretty well," Anthony said.
The rules state that each team gets two challenges per game, and the challenge is kept if correct. On borderline calls, teams will want to only challenge in high-leverage moments to ensure they have the ability to review close calls late in games. In this case, Anthony knew it was the right moment.