Royals rely on eagle-eye replay guy Duplissea

KANSAS CITY — On Sunday, Twins second baseman Brian Dozier led off with a sharp grounder that Royals third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert grabbed on a dive.

Cuthbert got up, fired to first, but the throw was low and away. First baseman Eric Hosmer made a tremendous pick, only it appeared Dozier beat the throw. Dozier was ruled safe.

“I didn’t even think about challenging that,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “And neither did Hoz or anyone on the bench. It was obvious to us, Dozier was safe.”

But about 20 seconds later, one of the dugout phones rang. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu answered the call. It was Bill Duplissea, the Royals’ replay coordinator.

“Challenge” was all Duplissea said.

Yost pointed to the umpires to put their headsets on. And, of course, the Royals won the challenge. A stunned Dozier was ruled out.

“He protects us,” Yost said of Duplissea. “He’s just really, really good.”

It has been that kind of season for Duplissea, who has emerged as one of baseball’s best replay coordinators, if not the best. Duplissea had won eight straight challenges entering Thursday’s game with the Twins, and his success rate of 71 percent (22-for-31) is the best in the Majors.

Oakland is next at 64 percent (16-for-25).

“He’s really, really good at it,” Yost said. “And he’s fast. He’s so much …

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