Replay.....Is Alive & Well......in MLB

Upon further review, it’s a homer, Braves win

By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports Writer 40 minutes ago

ATLANTA (AP)—Brian McCann(notes) hit a game-winning homer with help from video replay, giving the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Florida Marlins on Sunday.
Pinch-hitter Matt Diaz(notes) tied the game with a two-run homer off Leo Nunez(notes) (4-3) after Brooks Conrad(notes) led off the ninth with a walk. Nunez retired the next two hitters, then McCann drove a 1-2 pitch toward the wall in right.

The ball bounced back onto the field, and the umpires initially ruled it was still in play. McCann stopped at second and began arguing that he should have more than a double.
The umpires conferred, then headed toward the Florida dugout to look at a replay which clearly showed the ball struck the top of the wall—right over McCann’s name on an auxiliary scoreboard—and went over. It ricocheted back onto the field off a back wall.

Crew chief Tim McClelland returned to the field, pointed toward McCann with a slight grin—and gave the universal signal for homer. The review took a relatively quick 1 minute, 26 seconds.

Most of the Braves players were already on the field, ready to celebrate while the umpires looked at the replay. When McClelland twirled his right index finger, McCann finished his triumphant jog around the bases, slamming down his helmet before he touched home and disappeared into the arms of his teammates.

The NL East-leading Braves overcame a 6-1 deficit, scoring three runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth for a victory they will surely remember if they hold on for their first division title since 2005.

Vino Wong, vwong@ajc.com

A lot to bark about at Braves game

Sunday was Bark in the Park at Turner Field and fans and their pets saw the Braves rally from a 6-1 deficit to stun Florida 7-6.