Rockies 2-1 win after interference call ends game

A controversial baserunner interference call ended the game and erased a potential game-tying run, giving the Colorado Rockies a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night at Coors Field. The ruling capped a tense ninth inning and handed the Pirates their seventh consecutive loss in games started by pitcher Paul Skenes.

The Pirates, trailing by one run, loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth against Rockies reliever Jaden Hill. Batter Jake Mangum hit a ground ball toward third baseman Kyle Karros, who charged the ball but fumbled it, allowing all runners to advance safely. The initial call on the field would have scored the tying run.

However, after a conference among the umpiring crew, pinch-runner Billy Cook was called out for interference. The officials determined Cook’s cleat made contact with Karros’s glove as he ran from second to third base, hindering the fielder. The call resulted in the third out, ending the game immediately.

Pirates manager Don Kelly argued vehemently with the umpires, particularly crew chief Todd Tichenor, after the game-ending decision. Kelly acknowledged in a postgame interview that contact occurred but questioned the...