In a heart-stopping moment at Wrigley Field, the Cincinnati Reds found themselves in a familiar and agonizing spot—a tie game in extra innings. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th, reliever Brock Burke faced Cubs' Michael Busch. The first pitch of the at-bat appeared to catch the edge of the strike zone, but home plate umpire Tom Hanahan called it a ball.

Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, who had entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch-hitter before taking over behind the plate, chose not to challenge the call using the team's ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System) challenge. That decision proved costly. Busch ultimately drew a five-pitch walk, forcing in the winning run and giving the Cubs a 7-6 victory. The loss spoiled a dramatic ninth-inning rally and marked Tejay Antone's first MLB appearance since April 2024.

The non-challenge immediately ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media. Fans and analysts alike questioned why Stephenson would save a challenge with the game on the line. "Bases loaded in the tenth and you don't challenge this. What are we doing, Tyler??" one frustrated fan posted. Another added, "How did Stephenson not challenge pitch 1 of that last PA…Have a challenge, clear strike and YOU CAN NOT WALK HIM!!!"

The optics were particularly brutal for a Reds team that has now suffered three consecutive walk-off losses—via home run, single/error, and now a walk. "If this isn't the basement for this team then it is going to be a very rough season," one fan lamented. For a squad already searching for consistency, the missed opportunity to use a challenge at the most critical moment of the game raises tough questions about in-game decision-making and whether the Reds are being too conservative with their ABS challenges in high-leverage situations.