Manager Joe Girardi challenging a call at first base in the third inning led to the Yankees scoring two runs and taking the lead in Friday night’s game, an eventual 7-3 win.
With two outs and Brian Roberts on second in the third, Ichiro Suzuki grounded softly to second and was called out at first by crew chief Dana DeMuth for what appeared to be the inning’s final out.
But after Girardi challenged the call and two of the umpires looked at a replay, DeMuth reversed his call, saying Ichiro was safe at first. The inning continued with runners and first and third and Yangervis Solarte followed with two-run double.
“It paid off for them. Without instant replay we are out of the inning,’’ Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “That’s what it’s there for. You want to see them get it right.’’
Girardi’s challenge in the eighth inning after Jacoby Ellsbury was ruled out on infield grounder didn’t result in an overturned call by DeMuth.