Chicago – The Cincinnati Reds celebrated a 10‑8 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday, but the post‑game conversation quickly turned to home‑plate umpire Bill Miller’s difficult night behind the plate.
Miller went 0‑for‑8 on automated ball‑strike system (ABS) challenges, with each of his contested calls reversed. The Cubs successfully challenged five calls, while the Reds won three.
How the challenges unfolded
The first reversal came early in the game when Miller called a fastball from Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder a ball. An ABS challenge showed the pitch was inside the strike zone, overturning the call.
Seven more calls were overturned before the final out, including two that Miller had originally ruled strikes. Chicago catcher Carson Kelly filed four challenges, and Reds catcher Jose Trevino successfully challenged two. The remaining two reversals came from the batter’s box, with Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart and Chicago outfielder Seiya Suzuki each winning a challenge.
Context and reactions
Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson chose not to raise any challenges, despite leading the majors with 88 successful overturns in 124 attempts.
Miller has been at the center of ABS disputes before, serving as crew chief for Reds games. Earlier this season, a collision between Reds infielder Edwin Arroyo and Miller contributed to a missed third out.
After the game, Cincinnati reliever Caleb Ferguson was caught on a hot mic delivering an expletive‑laden tirade at Miller. Ferguson later apologized, calling his outburst “unprofessional.”
Statistical perspective
According to data from TapToChallenge.com, Miller’s 0‑for‑8 performance is the worst by an umpire since MLB introduced the challenge system at the start of the 2026 season. His 70 overturned calls rank ninth among MLB umpires, behind leaders such as Hunter Wendelstedt, Dan Iassogna, Malachi Moore, Lance Barrett and Manny Gonzalez.
While the ABS challenge system continues to shape how games are called, Miller’s night serves as a reminder that even seasoned umpires can struggle with the new technology.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
