If it wasn’t for the 11 home runs the Athletics and Brewers hit Monday at Las Vegas Ballpark, the amount of pitches challenged (and overturned) could have been a more memorable part of the Brewers’ 15-14 win.
The 11 homers matched the amount of overturned pitches of the 16 total challenges.
For MLB teams there has been a feeling-out process this year on when to use the two allotted challenges during a game as part of the first season with the Automated Ball-Strike system.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay said his team has a more liberal approach to challenges.
“There’s a freedom for us to challenge from the first pitch,” Kotsay said before Tuesday’s game. “Obviously, an emphasis on leverage pitches in the game. If we have challenges left, I’ve always stated that it’s a wasted opportunity when you end a game and still have challenges.
“We have a more aggressive mindset to how we use them.”
A’s catcher Shea Langeliers had four successful challenges on Monday. One came in the top of the ninth inning after the Brewers rallied to score two runs to tie the game. Another came in the top of the 11th.
The lone unsuccessful challenge came when Brent Rooker challenged a strike call in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the pitch was confirmed as a strike.
A’s infielder Max Muncy echoed Kotsay’s sentiments on the team’s aggressive approach.
“(We want) to use them in high-leverage situations, to try to get runs on the board,” Muncy said. “It’s also make sure you use them, don’t just leave free challenges on the board.
“If it’s late in the game, you haven’t used one, maybe on a close call give it a go.”
Many of the overturned pitches seen throughout the season have been decided by fractions of an inch or closer. Kotsay acknowledged that the umpires have a “challenge” every night with how fast pitchers are through, and the amount of pitchers home plate umpire Clint Vondrak saw on Monday.
“You talk about the ABS, players have the chance to challenge those pitches and get it right,” Kotsay said.
Muncy ‘felt good’ in return
Muncy on Monday made his return to the A’s after missing nearly the previous six weeks with a left hand injury.
The A’s 2021 first-round pick was played at third base and was 1-for-5 with a run scored and was credited with two RBIs when he reached first base on an error.
“It felt good,” Muncy said pregame Tuesday. “(The) recovery’s a long road, so to kind of reap the benefits of that last night and get to get in a game again was nice. Obviously, I wish we could have got the win, but we got the rest of the week to get a couple of those.”
Kotsay said before Muncy’s return that he will play at third base and move around. The A’s manager said Tuesday he was pleased with the defensive plays Muncy made Monday.
“He looked fine,” Kotsay said pregame Tuesday. “Timing was there. Good at-bats, no results, but overall, he looked comfortable in the field and made a couple plays.”
A’s bring back Estes
Earlier Tuesday, the A’s announced they have recalled right-handed reliever Joey Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. The team sent down Kade Morris in return.
Morris allowed nine runs in four innings in a loss to Houston on June 6 in his only start with the A’s.
“We were trying to give (Morris) another opportunity,” Kotsay said. “Unfortunately, with the way our bullpen is right now and how we had to cover (Monday’s game), we had to use his roster spot to option him and bring Joey here as a guy that will add depth.”
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
