Taveras’s challenge of 3rd-strike call sparked Orioles’ comeback; O’s-Guardians lineups

CLEVELAND—After Friday night’s exciting comeback win, everyone was talking about Jeremiah Jackson’s game-turning homer. But there was an overlooked play that helped set up the six-run rally in the top of the eighth.

With the Orioles trailing 4-1 and runners on first and second with one out, Leody Taveras appeared to take a called third strike. Taveras was so sure the pitch from Erik Sabrowski was a ball that he trotted toward first base while tapping his helmet for an automated ball-strike challenge.

The call by home plate umpire Nate Tomlinson was changed by ABS. Taveras went to first, and three batters later, Jackson hit a game-winning three-run homer for a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

“That’s a huge of the swing of the game,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “And that’s something that we keep talking about with the challenges. Having at least one in the holster when you get late in the game for either the batter or the catcher or the pitcher.

“Being able to have one and Leody using it — it was a perfect time to use it. You get it right, so it’s awesome. Even if you didn’t get it right, that’s a perfect time to use it. I’m glad that we had one, and Leody was confident enough to use it.”

The Orioles became the first team in MLB history to give up a grand slam to break a scoreless tie in the seventh inning or later but still come back to win the game, according to Stats Perform.

Taveras, who was signed as a free agent in November, is starting in center field for the 11^th time this season on Saturday night.

“His track record in the big leagues has been as an above-average centerfielder, so that’s always nice to have,” Albernaz said. “The sheer tools he has, the foot speed, the closing speed, the arm strength, the catch radius, the jump phase. When the ball hits off the bat, he gets a great jump on the ball.”

Note: Left-handed reliever Dietrich Enns, who’s on the 15-day injured list with a left foot infection, will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk.

Orioles-Guardians lineups:

Orioles

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Taylor Ward-LF

Pete Alonso-1B

Dylan Beavers-RF

Colton Cowser-DH

Leody Taveras-CF

Samuel Basallo-C

Coby Mayo-3B

Jeremiah Jackson-2B

Dean Kremer-RHP

Guardians

Steven Kwan-CF

Chase DeLauter-RF

José Ramírez-3B

Kyle Manzardo-1B

George Valera-LF

Rhys Hoskins-DH

Daniel Schneeman-2B

Bo Naylor-C

Brayan Rocchio-SS

Gavin Williams-RHP

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