In a game that had fans buzzing, umpire CB Bucknor found himself in the spotlight once again. Just days after a series of overturned calls, Bucknor's judgment was questioned during a pivotal moment in the Brewers' matchup against the Rays.
In the sixth inning, Brewers' first baseman Jake Bauers reached on an infield single. The throw from Rays second baseman Brandon Williamson went astray, and Bauers was tagged out by Jonathan Aranda after Bucknor ruled he hadn't touched first base. However, replay clearly showed Bauers' foot on the bag, leading to an overturned call and a run scored in Milwaukee's 6-2 victory.
Brewers commentator Jeff Levering didn't hold back, questioning Bucknor's view of the play. Color commentator Bill Schroeder echoed the sentiment, noting Bucknor seemed to miss the action entirely. Both teams' managers shared a light moment, chuckling at the situation.
Bauers, relieved after the review, expressed gratitude for the replay system, which set things right. This incident followed a weekend where Bucknor's pitch calls were frequently challenged, notably during the Red Sox-Reds clash, where six calls were overturned.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged the challenges of Bucknor's role, emphasizing the importance of the automated system in ensuring accuracy. Bucknor, a veteran umpire since 1999, faced scrutiny with one of the highest overturn rates during the first weekend with the ABS system.
As Bucknor prepares to take the plate again, fans and players alike will be watching closely, hoping for a smoother outing.