Indians score, save run on reviews against KC

CLEVELAND -- After the Indians endured a week of tough luck when it came to replay reviews, their fortunes immediately changed in Friday night's 10-5 win in the series opener against the Royals at Progressive Field.

In the first inning, Jordan Luplow was originally called out at first base on a potential inning-ending double play. But the call was overturned, allowing Francisco Lindor to score from third. In the third, Cleveland again challenged successfully to overturn a safe call at the plate for an inning-ending double play as Alex Gordon tried to avoid the tag by catcher Roberto Pérez.

On Thursday, second baseman Jason Kipnis threw his arms above his head when one finally went Cleveland's way against Detroit.

Kipnis attempted to make a tag on Tigers baserunner Brandon Dixon as he backpedaled toward first to avoid Kipnis’ glove. But Kipnis was able to swipe Dixon’s jersey and got the throw over to first in time to complete the double play. Although Dixon was initially ruled safe, the call was overturned after a review that lasted 2 minutes, 56 seconds.

“The longer they went the more nervous I got,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “I told [bench coach Brad Mills] if they don’t get this, somebody in New York is going to have to throw me out. It wouldn’t have been the umpires here. But I would have gone to the headset and got thrown out.”

The Indians' replay issues started this week with two pitches from Tribe starter Shane Bieber in two separate at-bats that hit either off the knob of the bat or the batters’ hands in the seventh inning against the Twins on Sunday. The first was ruled a hit-by-pitch, but the Indians challenged and the call stood. Then, that same inning, a pitch hit nearly in the same spot, but this time was ruled a foul ball. Minnesota challenged and it was overturned to a hit-by-pitch.

“I talked to [MLB vice president of on-field operations, initiatives and strategy] Chris Young the other day and his explanation was actually really good,” Francona said before Friday's series opener against the Royals. “And I tried to explain to him, I wasn’t calling to complain about the calls or the way the umpires acted. I just wanted some clarification for future reference. Because I was told one thing and he assured me that the view they have -- they have the same exact cameras, same exact angles -- they have the ability to blow it up and slow it down because we only have 30 seconds. But they don’t have more looks or more angles. Because that wouldn’t be fair. That’s what I was concerned about.”

After those two close calls on Sunday impacted Bieber’s inning, one in which he gave up three runs after six shutout frames, starter Trevor Bauer almost ran into the same trouble on Thursday. In the seventh, Niko Goodrum singled and attempted to steal second base, but it was ruled that Perez threw him out. Detroit challenged the call and it was overturned, though Cleveland was confident Goodrum was out.

“Last night, the one where Roberto threw out Goodrum running ... he’s out. I saw it,” Francona said. “I think everybody saw it. What they do is they match up frames. And [Indians replay coordinator Mike Barnett] is trying to explain this to me last night and tonight, the frames weren’t matching up correctly. You can tell by the angle of Kip’s glove. So, we’ve got to get that figured out. It’s alarming that you could lose a call because of a malfunction or something’s not lined up right. He’s been on the phone today trying to get some answers.

“And Barney understands -- because we’ve been doing it together so long and he knows us -- maybe when we’ll want to reach or not. But it does make it hard when -- like when I saw the replay on the scoreboard, I was like, ‘Man, this is an easy one.’ And then when they allowed him to be safe, I was shocked.”

The disagreements provided the Indians with a little more relief when the final one of the night -- the Kipnis play -- went in their favor the following inning.

This date in Indians history
1974: Dick Bosman threw the 12th no-hitter in Cleveland history in a 4-0 win over Oakland. Bosman faced one batter over the minimum in the win.