Replay review reverses Desmond's inside-the-park homer (Braves win 2-1)

For a few minutes in the bottom of the fifth inning, it appeared that the Nationals had tied the game at 1-1 on an inside-the-park home run by Ian Desmond.

Desmond hit David Hale's first pitch of the inning into the corner in left and the ball came to rest at the base of the padded wall. Left fielder Justin Upton immediately raised both arms to signal to the umpires that he felt the ball was unreachable, but third base umpire Marvin Hudson made no signal as Desmond scampered around the bases while Upton and the ball remained at the wall.

After Desmond crossed home plate and headed to the dugout, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez came out to discuss the play and asked for a review. Home plate umpire Corey Blaser handled the duties and it was decided that the original call of a live ball and an inside-the-park home run was overturned and, per rule 7.05f, Desmond would be awarded second base, per a press box announcement.

Nationals manager Matt Williams protested to no avail.

Desmond was caught in a rundown trying to steal third.

Jordan Zimmermann was pulled after five innings. He allowed a run on four hits, walked one and struck out nine. The righty threw 81 pitches, 58 for strikes

Craig Stammen replaced Zimmermann.

Hale is also out after five innings. Gus Schlosser is on to try and protect the Braves' 1-0 lead.

Update: The Nats finally broke through in the sixth, tying the game on Ryan Zimmerman's sac fly. Anthony Rendon singled, Jayson Werth walked and a fielder's choice by Adam LaRoche left runners at the corners. Zimmerman lofted a fly ball to right-center, deep enough to easily score Rendon for a 1-1 tie.

Update II: The tie didn't last long. Atlanta went ahead 2-1 in the eighth on a sac fly by Chris Johnson. With Tyler Clippard pitching, Jason Heyward drew a leadoff walk, went to third on Freddie Freeman's single to right and scored on Johnson's fly to right.

Update III: Washington wasted a golden opportunity in the eighth against David Carpenter, who allowed a leadoff single to Rendon and then walked Werth. But LaRoche and Zimmerman struck out swinging and Bryce Harper was caught looking at a third strike at his knees. Aaron Barrett is in for the Nats, who will no doubt see Craig Kimbrel in the ninth.

Update IV: Kimbrel was money in the ninth, retiring the Nats in order to seal a 2-1 Braves win.




Reviewing the replay reversal with Williams, Desmo...
Zimmermann cruising, showing no ill effects (score...
 

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