PHOENIX (AP) — Major League Baseball’s new Automated Ball/Strike system was implemented to help players challenge pitches that they feel were not called correctly.There’s one big caveat — it only works if it’s used.The Arizona Diamondbacks and three-time All-Star Ketel Marte learned that the hard way Friday night when Marte failed to challenge a called strike three by umpire Bill Miller for the final out in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Television replays showed that the 100 mph sinker from Riley O’Brien was high and out of the strike zone.The D-backs still had both of their ABS challenges remaining.“I was looking for a breaking ball,” Marte said through an interpreter. “Got the two-seamer and I was a little bit surprised.”D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said he hadn’t talked to Marte about the gaffe and would address it with him Saturday. It was a tough night for the veteran second baseman, who also made an error in the first inning that led to two unearned runs.“Clearly — I don’t want to speak for Ketel — you guys will have a chance to talk to him, but he thought it was a strike,” Lovullo said. “Sometimes you’ve got to trust your own instincts. Possibly thought it was a good pitch, checked off of it and lost the ability to challenge as soon as he stepped across home plate.”
D-backs lose to Cardinals after star Ketel Marte fails to use ABS system on questionable call
Major League Baseball’s new Automated Ball/Strike system was implemented to help players challenge pitches that they feel weren’t called correctly.








