Pirates Manager Don Kelly Admits Umps Got It Right on Controversial Game-Ending Call Despite Initial Anger

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped another close one in Denver on Saturday night, and the ending left everyone confused at first. Then it left them frustrated. And then, grudgingly, they acknowledged the umpires probably made the right call.

Down 2-1 in the ninth inning at Coors Field, the Pirates had the bases loaded with two outs. Billy Cook was on first base when Oneil Cruz hit a ground ball toward second. Cook took off for second, and Rockies infielder Kyle Karros fielded the ball and tried to tag him. The throw from shortstop Ezequiel Tovar pulled Karros off the bag slightly, but as Cook slid, the umpires huddled instead of making an immediate call.

After a brief discussion, they ruled Cook out for interference. Replays showed his cleat made contact with Karros’ glove just before the tag was applied. The game was over.

Pirates manager Don Kelly was initially livid. He argued hard on the field. But after the game, he cooled off and told reporters, including MLB.com, that the call was correct.

“They said that they got together and that Billy kicked his glove, which he did, looking at the replay,” Kelly said. “I just didn’t know why, if you saw that, why it wasn’t called immediately. You had to get together to call it.”

Cook himself seemed genuinely surprised when he found out he had made contact.

“No, I didn’t feel contact, and then all of a sudden they called me out and I was like, ‘Dude, I didn’t feel it,’” Cook said. “I watched the replay and it nicks just enough of his glove, but the cleat and everything, I didn’t feel it in the toe area. I guess the replay shows that I did. The video doesn’t lie. Just unfortunate how that played out.”

The loss also meant another start without a win for ace Paul Skenes. He’s now gone seven straight appearances without picking up a victory. That’s not all on him — the Pirates offense has struggled to score runs behind him all season.

Saturday’s defeat dropped Pittsburgh to 38-39 on the year. That’s a tough spot for a team that looked like a real contender in the NL Central early on. The bats have gone cold, and close losses like this one pile up quickly.

The Pirates will try to avoid a sweep on Sunday afternoon against the Rockies. Colorado has a chance to take all three games if they win again.