Umpire Bill Miller goes 0-for-8 on ABS challenges in Reds' 10-8 win over Cubs at Wrigley Field
Reds Edge Cubs 10‑8 in a Game Highlighted by Umpire Bill Miller’s 0‑for‑8 Challenge Night
The Cincinnati Reds secured a 10‑8 win over the Chicago Cubs in a contest that was as much about the automated ball‑strike (ABS) system as it was about the players’ on‑field performances. The game, played at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on Friday, saw home‑plate umpire Bill Miller become the most‑challenged official in a single game, with all eight of his disputed calls overturned.
Miller’s first overturned call came early in the third inning when he ruled Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder’s fastball a ball. A successful ABS challenge confirmed the pitch was inside the strike zone, setting the tone for a night that would see every challenge from either team reverse the original decision.
“It’s just a very unprofessional thing on my part,” Miller’s on‑the‑field counterpart, Cincinnati reliever Caleb Ferguson, later said in a post‑game interview. “I know these things happen in the game, but I don’t like that I was kind of the centerpiece of what was going on.” The expletive‑laden tirade captured on a hot‑mic moment was followed by an apology to the team and the league.
The Reds’ 3 successful challenges came from a mix of players. José Treviño successfully challenged two calls, while catcher Tyler Stephenson opted not to use any challenges, even though he had the best success rate in the majors with 88 overturned calls in 124 attempts. Two of Miller’s overturned calls were in the batter’s box, with Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart and Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki each winning a challenge.
Chicago’s catcher Carson Kelly challenged four pitches, winning five of the teams’ total of eight successful challenges. The Cubs’ five victories in the system helped them stay competitive, but the Reds’ 10‑run offensive outburst carried the game.
Miller’s 0‑for‑8 performance was the worst by an umpire in the history of the ABS system since MLB adopted it in 2026. Data from TapToChallenge.com shows he has recorded 70 overturned calls in his career, ranking him ninth among all MLB umpires. Leaders in overturned calls include Hunter Wendelstedt, Dan Iassogna, Malachi Moore, Lance Barrett and Manny Gonzalez.
The game’s drama was not limited to the field. In the seventh inning of a separate Reds‑home game last month, Miller was knocked by a collision with Reds infielder Edwin Arroyo while attempting to field a ground ball. The collision contributed to a missed third out and prolonged the inning.
Despite the turmoil in the umpiring booth, the Reds’ 10‑8 victory was a testament to their resilience in late‑inning rallies. With the Cubs’ bullpen unable to contain the Reds’ offense in the final frames, the game highlighted the growing influence of the ABS system on modern baseball.
As MLB continues to refine the technology that governs the game, the Reds‑Cubs matchup will be remembered as a clear illustration of how the ball‑strike system can swing the outcome of a close contest.
