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MLB issues statement on controversial Reds-Marlins replay

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On Friday, Major League Baseball released a statement regarding a controversial decision during Thursday night's Reds-Marlins game.

The game between Cincinnati and Miami featured a controversial replay review in the eighth inning. Reds shortstop Zack Cozart was tagged out at home by Marlins catcher Jeff Mathis. After a six-minute review, the umpires ruled that Mathis had violated Rule 7.13—the rule which prohibits catchers from blocking home plate before they have the ball—and called Cozart safe. 

Cozart's run tied the game in the eighth inning and the Reds went on to win a game with Wild Card implications. 

The MLB statement noted that the league would continue to evaluate the rule, and said that long reviews should be avoided in the future. 

"We realize that people may reasonably have different opinions regarding the application of Rule 7.13 in any particular instance because it is a judgement call," the statement read in part. "We are continuously evaluating the application of the new rule, and we anticipate a full review with all appropriate parties in the offseason in order to determine whether any changes should be made. We also recognize that the exorbitant length of last night's review, which was more than three times the season average, must be avoided in the future."

MLB first introduced replay review in 2008, but initially only home run calls could be reviewed. The league expanded replay for this season to include other calls, such as force plays and tag plays.

In April, MLB changed the transfer rule as a result of the replay system. 

- Dan Gartland