MLB denies Indians' protest over loss

The Cleveland Indians' protest of their 7-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles was denied by Major League Baseball on Wednesday.

The Indians protested Saturday night's game after the umpires awarded a run to the Orioles _ three innings after initially waving it off.

MLB did not elaborate in announcing its decision. The Indians submitted paperwork to MLB on Sunday.

The Orioles had taken a 2-1 lead in the third on Miguel Tejada's RBI single. With one out and Nick Markakis on third base and Tejada at first, Ramon Hernandez hit a sinking liner to center field.

Cleveland's Grady Sizemore made a diving catch, popped up and threw to first in time to get Tejada for an inning-ending double play. Markakis, however, tagged up and scored well before Tejada was out at first.

Baltimore's run should have counted, but it was disallowed by plate umpire Marvin Hudson and the inning ended with the Orioles up 2-1, not 3-1.

Three innings later veteran umpire Ed Montague called scorekeeper Chad Broski and told him to add a run for the Orioles, giving them a 3-2 lead. Indians manager Eric Wedge protested the game, arguing the run can't be counted later.

"I don't blame Eric for protesting the call since it was our screw up," Montague said. "But we can't take away a run on my screw up. Eric was great about it. He understood, but he had to protest."