Yankees manager Joe Girardi asks for more instant replay after Game 2 blown call

Robinson Cano tags out Omar Infante at second base during Sunday's night's ALCS Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. Umpire Jeff Nelson called Infante safe, and Infante went on to score the second run in the Tigers' 3-0 victory. (AP)

While much of America was watching football, a blown call in the eighth inning of the ALCS game at Yankee Stadium aided the Tigers in a 3-0 victory that gave them a 2-0 series lead.

With two outs and Omar Infante at first base, Austin Jackson singled to right field. Nick Swisher fielded it and threw it to Robinson Cano at second. The Yankees second baseman tagged out Infante, who had overrun the bag and was attempting to dive back, but umpire Jeff Nelson called Infante safe.

On the following play, Infante scored on a bloop single to right field. As Yankees manager Joe Girardi came out to make a pitching change, he again argued with Nelson, who then ejected him from the game. A second run scored later in the inning, leaving the offensively challenged Yankees in a 3-0 hole they could not overcome.

After the game, Nelson admitted he blew the call.

“I had the tag late and the hand going into the bag before the tag on the chest,” Nelson said. “The hand did not get in before the tag. The call was incorrect.”

After the game, Girardi didn’t blame Nelson, but questioned MLB for not instituting more instant replay so umpires can take a second look at controversial plays.

“It’s frustrating. I don’t have a problem with Jeff’s effort. I don’t, because he hustled to get to the point. But in this day and age, when we have instant replay available to us, it’s got to change,” Girardi said. “These guys are under a tremendous amount of pressure. It’s a tough call for him because the tag is underneath and it’s hard for him to see. It takes more time for me to argue and get upset than [if] you get the call right. There’s just too much at stake. I mean, we played 235 days to get to this point.”

To see the video of the play, click here.

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