Yankees Senselessly Challenged an Obvious Out Call and Predictably Lost

The Yankees made a questionable decision to challenge a call against the Tigers on Tuesday, and unsurprisingly, things didn’t work out in their favor. 

In the second inning, Anthony Volpe was tagged out near first base after a throw from Detroit shortstop Javier Báez pulled first baseman Spencer Torkelson off the bag. 

Torkelson managed to slap a tag on Volpe before he reached first base, though New York appeared to see things differently.

The Yankees challenged the out call from first base umpire Mike Muchlinski, only for replay evidence to clearly show Torkelson tagging Volpe on the side of his left leg, well before he reached the bag.

The Yankees challenged this out call at first ???? pic.twitter.com/jQFc8Pv4WH

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 5, 2023

Even the broadcast booth seemed surprise by New York’s bizarre decision to challenge the call.

“I don’t get that challenge. The Yankees are usually really good and judicious with their challenges. I can’t see this being overturned,” said Michael Kay, who correctly predicted that Muchlinski’s call would stand.

It didn’t come as much of a surprise that Volpe was quickly determined to be out, and the Yankees lost their challenge in the second inning.