MLB denies Angels' protest of loss at Kansas City

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, back, questions home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 27, 2016.
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, back, questions home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 27, 2016.

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball has denied the Los Angeles Angels' formal protest of their loss at Kansas City on Wednesday night.

Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre ruled on the protest Thursday.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia protested Kansas City's 7-5 victory, claiming the Royals' Raul Mondesi ran inside the line on a bunt single in the seventh inning. The play led to a throwing error and two runners scoring, and Scioscia claimed Mondesi was illegally on the grass when pitcher Matt Shoemaker made his errant throw to first.

Scioscia said at the time that he was "100 percent" certain the protest would be upheld, saying the play was "not a judgment call" for home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi.

Scioscia remained confident in his opinion before the Angels' home game Thursday night against the Boston Red Sox.

"They looked at it, they gave their opinion, and that's all you can ask for, and I respect that," Scioscia said. "I wouldn't have filed the protest if we didn't feel that we were on the right side of it. And I still do, but I respect their decision. Hopefully it will foster some conversation in the future about that play, and we can get it a little bit cleaner."