local
D-backs lose to Cardinals after star Ketel Marte fails to use ABS system on blown call
By David Brandt, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 18, 2026
· 2 min read
Major League Baseball's new Automated Ball/Strike system was implemented to help players challenge pitches that they feel were not called correctly.There's one big caveat — it only works if it's used.The Arizona Diamondbacks and three-time All-Star Ketel Marte learned that the hard way Friday nig...
Key takeaway Television replays showed that the 100 mph sinker from Riley O'Brien was high and out of the strike zone.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
For local baseball fans in Piney Point Village , the Arizona Diamondbacks' loss to the St. Louis Cardinals serves as a reminder that even with advanced technology like the Automated Ball/Strike system, human error can still play a significant role in the game. The fact that Ketel Marte failed to challenge a blown call, despite having two challenges remaining, is a mistake that could have been costly for fans who were rooting for the D-backs. As the team looks to bounce back from this loss, fans in the Houston area will be watching to see how they address the issue and move forward. The D-backs' performance will likely be a topic of discussion among local baseball enthusiasts, and their ability to learn from their mistakes will be crucial in their upcoming games.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Major League Baseball's new Automated Ball/Strike system was implemented to help players challenge pitches that they feel were not called correctly.There's one big caveat — it only works if it's used.The Arizona Diamondbacks and three-time All-Star Ketel Marte learned that the hard way Friday nig...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by David Brandt, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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