Umpire CB Bucknor has 6 calls overturned during one game in embarrassing ABS moment

Umpire CB Bucknor Faces Challenges with MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike System

Long-time major league umpire CB Bucknor found himself at the center of attention during the Red Sox’s recent game against the Reds, as MLB’s new Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) led to several overturned calls.

Bucknor, who has been a part of MLB umpiring crews since 1999, had a total of eight calls challenged during the game, with six of them being overturned. The most notable incidents occurred in the sixth inning when Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez successfully challenged two consecutive strike-three calls made by Bucknor against Boston rookie Ryan Watson.

Both pitches in question were close, with the ABS technology ultimately ruling them as balls. The Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati erupted in response to the overturned calls, creating an intense atmosphere for the players on the field.

Watson, reflecting on the moment, mentioned, “It was like ‘Oh man, that’s two in a row.’ But yeah, just tried to take a deep breath and get back in the zone.”

In the eighth inning, Bucknor made another controversial call when he ruled Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story out on a check swing. Story vehemently disagreed with the call, resulting in a heated exchange between him and Bucknor. Despite the protest from the Red Sox, they were unable to challenge the call.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora was eventually ejected from the game after a heated argument with Bucknor. Cora later commented on the situation, acknowledging the challenges that umpires face in making split-second decisions during the game.

Despite the drama surrounding the umpiring decisions, the Red Sox managed to tie the game in the ninth inning before ultimately falling to the Reds in the 11th on a walk-off single.