Umps' review takes away homer from Helms

Umps' review takes away homer from Helms

MIAMI -- From overturned to overheated.

There was some sixth-inning drama at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday on a disputed overturned home run.

Florida's Wes Helms had a would-be three-run homer overruled by instant replay. After watching the video, umpire crew chief Joe West returned to the field and sent Gaby Sanchez back to third base, while awarding Helms a double.

Outraged by the ruling that a second run didn't score, Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez argued fiercely with West, prompting his third ejection of the season.

West gave Rodriguez several chances to walk away, but Rodriguez didn't hold back. Third-base umpire Angel Hernandez stepped between Rodriguez and West, who was the second-base umpire.

The reversal took two runs off the board for Florida.

Rodriguez's issue wasn't that they took away the homer. He was protesting that it was a judgment call regarding Sanchez being sent back to third.

"I understand that they went in and made the call on the double," Rodriguez said. "I understand that you shouldn't be arguing that. But regarding if the runner should score, that is a judgment call. My judgment is Gaby Sanchez would have scored from first.

"I'm very aware that I'm not supposed to argue [the ruling if the ball was a homer]. The other part, my judgment is Gaby should have scored from first."

The Marlins went on to win, 5-2, in the season finale. So the lost run didn't end up mattering.

But the game was tied at 2 at the time Helms connected on a long drive to left off lefty Brian Burres. The ball clipped the siding of the high wall, and it deflected back onto the field of play.

The Pirates contended the ball deflected from the wall directly into play, and the umpiring crew reviewed the play.

"I told him it hit the sign. I think they were arguing that one more run should have come in," Pirates manager John Russell said. "The right call was to leave the runner at third base."

When the ruling came, Helms was credited with one RBI double, which put Florida ahead, 3-2.

For Rodriguez, it was the third time he's been ejected. With no guarantee that he will return as manager, Rodriguez exited the field to a standing ovation from the crowd of 31,803.
