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The Baltimore Orioles fell victim to an accidental challenge.
In the second inning of the Orioles’ 8-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, third baseman Coby Mayo was forced to challenge a pitch he didn’t want.
Mayo took a 3-0 pitch from Diamondbacks starter Eduardo RodrÃguez on the outside and started walking toward first base, thinking he had a walk. Instead, home plate umpire John Tumpane called it a strike.
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Baltimore Orioles’ Coby Mayo talks to umpire John Tumpane during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore, Maryland. 15 April 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
Mayo expressed his displeasure with the call and raised his right hand to his helmet, but did not tap his head as he did not want to challenge the pitch. Tumpane believed he actually challenged the pitch and initiated a review.
The call was upheld as a strike as Mayo claimed he did not dispute the call. The Orioles ended up losing the challenge, one of their two on the day. A replay confirmed that Mayo never actually touched his head.
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Baltimore Orioles’ Coby Mayo celebrates hitting a double during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore, Maryland. 15 April 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
However, Mayo still had a successful game. On the ensuing 3-1 pitch, Mayo ripped a 91 mph fastball down the left field line for a double and ended up scoring the first run of the game.
Mayo’s accidental challenge is one of the few that has taken place so far this season. Last week, Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales challenged a pitch, but immediately tried to reverse his decision when the team had only one challenge left.
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Baltimore Orioles’ Coby Mayo celebrates with Blaze Alexander after scoring on an RBI hit by Sam Huff during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore, Maryland. 15 April 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
Gonzales ended up winning the challenge and the Pirates kept their final challenge.
Mayo and the Orioles (9-9) will hope they don’t have any more ABS snafus when they play the Cleveland Guardians (10-9) Thursday at 7 p.m. 18.10 ET.
