MLB Ump CB Bucknor Has Six Calls Overturned in One Game

Automated Ball-Strike System exposes umpire's mistakes in close Red Sox-Reds matchup

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:25pm

Major League Baseball umpire CB Bucknor had six of his calls overturned by the league's new Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) during a single game between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. The overturned calls, which included two in back-to-back strike three situations, led to a heated exchange between Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Bucknor, though Cora acknowledged that "we're all human" and the job of umpiring is not easy.

Why it matters

The high number of overturned calls by the ABS highlights the ongoing challenges of human umpiring in professional baseball and the league's efforts to improve accuracy and consistency through technology. The incident also underscores the intense scrutiny and pressure umpires face, especially in close games with playoff implications.

The details

During the Red Sox's 6-5 loss to the Reds, the ABS found Bucknor in error on six out of eight calls that were challenged. This included two overturned strike three calls against Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez in the sixth inning, which Red Sox pitcher Ryan Watson said "shocked" the loud home crowd in Cincinnati. In the eighth inning, Red Sox manager Alex Cora got into a shouting match with Bucknor after he called shortstop Trevor Story out on a check swing, though Cora acknowledged the difficulty of the umpire's job.

  • On March 29, 2026, during a game between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds.
  • In the sixth inning, Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez had two strike three calls overturned.
  • In the eighth inning, Red Sox manager Alex Cora argued with umpire CB Bucknor over a call on a check swing.

The players

CB Bucknor

A Major League Baseball umpire who had six of his calls overturned by the league's new Automated Ball-Strike System during a single game.

Eugenio Suarez

The Cincinnati Reds third baseman who had two strike three calls overturned by the Automated Ball-Strike System in the sixth inning.

Ryan Watson

The Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher who was pitching when the two strike three calls against Suarez were overturned.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox who got into a shouting match with umpire CB Bucknor over a call on a check swing.

Trevor Story

The Boston Red Sox shortstop who was called out on a check swing, leading to Cora's argument with Bucknor.

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What they’re saying

“It was like 'Oh man, that's two in a row.' But yeah, just tried to take a deep breath and get back in the zone.”

— Ryan Watson, Boston Red Sox pitcher

“That's probably the loudest I've heard a stadium while pitching. So it was intense, for sure.”

— Ryan Watson, Boston Red Sox pitcher

“He has one job to do, it's to call balls and strikes. It wasn't his best day. That's what the system does. It's out there, everybody sees it, and he'll be the first one to accept it. I saw him putting his head down after one of the challenges.”

— Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox manager

“And we're all human. It's not easy, what we do and what he does.”

— Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox manager

What’s next

The MLB will likely review Bucknor's performance and consider any disciplinary action, while also continuing to evaluate the effectiveness of the new Automated Ball-Strike System.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human umpiring in professional baseball and the league's efforts to improve accuracy and consistency through technology. While the ABS exposed Bucknor's mistakes, the high-pressure nature of umpiring was also acknowledged, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to improving officiating.