Braves’ ABS challenge leads to eight runs in wild turn of events

Automated Balls and Strikes dramatically changed the outcome of Thursday’s 17-2 rout of the Diamondbacks by the Braves.

Second baseman Ozzie Albies successfully challenged the seventh pitch of his at-bat, which was a full-count pitch to work a walk in what turned into a massive eight-run outburst for Atlanta.

“I’m happy they have that system,” Albies told reporters postgame. “That changed the whole game.”

Diamondbacks pitcher Ryne Nelson had a tough time in the fifth inning, but nearly escaped the frame before an error by Nolan Arenado botched a potentially inning-ending double play and blew the game up.

The eight runs go up on the scoreboard, but not on Nelson’s stat sheet, as all runs were unearned.

Though the error wouldn’t have mattered if Albies was punched out by home plate umpire Malachi Moore, and ABS didn’t save him from a strikeout.