default-cbs-image

The Red Sox beat the Mets for the second straight day Saturday (BOS 3, NYM 1). In the ninth inning, pinch-hitter David Ortiz hit a booming double off Bartolo Colon, who came out of the bullpen on his throw day to give the team's other relievers a rest.

The double ending up not mattering -- pinch-runner Rusney Castillo didn't come around to score -- but it did appear Ortiz was tagged out before touching second base. There is no MLB.com video of the play, so here's a GIF:

Replays showed Juan Uribe appeared to apply the tag before Ortiz touched the base. Mets manager Terry Collins declined to challenge the safe call, and it turns out that was a wise decision. Adam Rubin of ESPN New York explains:

Jim Kelly, the team’s replay official, advised Collins that Ortiz’s shot to center field appeared to be a home run.

Even though Collins is convinced Ortiz was out at second, he was concerned a Mets challenge would have triggered a review of the entire play and a homer would have been awarded to Big Papi.

There were no definitive replays on either team's broadcast showing the ball was actually a home run. For what it's worth, the Red Sox apparently looked at the play and determined it was not a homer:

Umpire Joe West initially told Collins the replay would be limited to the safe or out call at second, and that the Red Sox would need to challenge whether it was a home run. As it turns out, that is incorrect. The Mets were later informed the entire play, including the possible home run, would have been reviewed had they challenged.

Ortiz has 27 home runs on the season and is sitting on 493 for his career. He's got a good chance to get to 500 before the end of the year.

David Ortiz hit a double Saturday that possibly should have been a home run.
David Ortiz hit a double Saturday that possibly should have been a home run. (USATSI)