Blue Jays, Varsho on wrong side of controversial review vs. Royals

The Toronto Blue Jays‘ post-season clinching hopes were complicated by a no-catch call on Saturday.

With no outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the fifth inning, Bobby Witt Jr. hit a low, sinking line drive to centre that was nearly caught by a diving Daulton Varsho.

Upon review, Varsho appeared to snare the ball successfully before it touched the grass, however, the call on the field was upheld as no catch.

Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman was informed of the rationale for the decision by Major League Baseball.

“After viewing all relevant angles, the replay official could not definitively determine that the fielder had firm and secure possession of the ball prior to any part of the ball touching the ground,” Shulman shared on the broadcast.

Blue Jays’ starter Trey Yesavage was taken out of the game following the Witt single.

While Vinnie Pasquantino grounded into a force out on the following play, the Royals went on to score two runs in the inning on ground ball RBI-singles by Salvador Perez and Maikel Garcia.