Cubs manager Craig Counsell rips ‘illogical’ replay review in club’s loss

Craig Counsell didn’t hide his frustration with the fact that Major League Baseball did not review what he felt was Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson blocking second base with his foot during a base-stealing attempt by Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner during the Cubs’ 3-2 loss to the Orioles on Thursday in Baltimore.

Trailing by one in the ninth inning, the Cubs were trying to even the score when Hoerner attempted to steal second. 

It looked as though Henderson’s foot was in the path of Hoerner and forced him to alter his slide going into second base. 

Hoerner was called out and when the play was challenged, the umpires focused on whether Hoerner was tagged when he was off the bag and not whether Henderson was blocking the bag. 

“There is a clear blocking the bag there. It’s very clear. The reason why Nico came off the bag is because the player is blocking the bag and he has to adjust his slide,” Counsell told reporters. “Then they go to review.

“They don’t even look at the blocking of the bag when that’s what caused the player to come off, it’s kind of illogical that you don’t look at blocking the bag when it’s what caused the player to come off the bag. They can’t look at it. He did come off the bag and he was tagged, but he came off the bag because Henderson had his foot right in the sliding lane, which is illegal. 

“New York is staring at it because [the umpire] didn’t call it on the field, they don’t call it. That makes no sense.” 

The Cubs ended up losing the game as the Orioles prevented Chicago from exiting the Charm City with a sweep during the three-game series. 

Dansby Swanson and Michael Conforto were the final two outs of the game as Baltimore secured the win.