Video replay costs LaRoche a home run

PITTSBURGH — Adam LaRoche became the first player to have a home run taken away by video replay, but it didn’t prevent the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates from beating the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-2, on Wednesday.

LaRoche’s long drive with a runner on in the first inning struck a railing or a small protective screen above the 21-foot wall in right field -- both objects are in play -- but first base umpire Lance Barksdale signaled a home run.

Crew chief Randy Marsh, Barksdale and Alfonso Marquez watched the replay while Mike Winters stayed at the plate, and Marsh changed the call to a double. The Pirates, who won their second in a row after an eight-game losing streak, did not argue.