Seattle Mariners make history by winning game with instant replay

The Mariners got their first look at expanded instant replay on Tuesday, and manager Lloyd McClendon used it to make history.

McClendon is the first manager to successfully challenge a call and have it overturned under baseball’s new instant replay system. He used it in a key situation in the 8th inning with the M’s down and the bases loaded.

Bench coach Trent Jewett told McClendon it looked like the Angels second baseman bobbled a force out. “Trent told me he thought it was a bobble, and I agreed,” McClendon said. “I told the umpire I wanted to challenge and he said he’d take a look at it.”

The runner was called safe, and the Mariners eventually took the lead and won the game.

McClendon said instant replay is now just part of the game, and it’s no big deal. “I also told Trent we’ll be talking more about this […] replay than we will about the game,” he joked.

Managers will have challenges in Major League Baseball this year. Under the old rules, only umpires could call for a replay and only for determining fair or foul on home runs.