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WASHINGTON -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Anthony Gose did not engage in what the rulebook refers to as a "bona fide slide." But since he did not hinder the ability of Washington Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa to turn a double play at a key juncture of the game Tuesday night, a key review went the Detroit Tigers' way.

The fact that the Washington Nationals lost a challenge on the play in question Tuesday night was the biggest turning point in what turned out to be a 5-4 win for the Detroit Tigers.

Let's back up a bit to set things up.

The two teams were tied at 3-3 with one out in the sixth inning Tuesday night when Andrew Romine hit a slow roller to second baseman Daniel Murphy. It was clear from the start that the Nationals would not have time to turn a double play. That was the case as Romine ended up safe at first as the go-ahead run scored.

But Gose clearly made no attempt to slide directly into second base. Two Nationals infielders immediately signaled toward second base, and manager Dusty Baker challenged the play.

Many expected the call to be overturned, which would have taken the go-ahead run off the board and ended the inning. Those thoughts were based on this rule:

Rule 6.01 (j): If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, he should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01. A "bona fide slide" for purposes of Rule 6.01 occurs when the runner:

(1) begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;

(2) is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;

(3) is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and

(4) slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

Gose clearly violated part 2 and part 3 of the rule. He made no attempt to reach for the bag and made no attempt to stay on the bag. He slid right past it.

So why did the play stand as called? An MLB spokesperson had this to say when reached late Tuesday night by MLive.com:

"Even though the judgment was that runner failed to engage in a bona fide slide, the Replay Official must still find that the runner's actions hindered and impeded the fielder's ability to complete a double play. In the absence of the hindering/impeding element -- which is a judgment call -- the runner cannot be found to have violated 6.01 (j). The judgment on this one was that there was no hindering or impeding of the fielder."

What does that mean? It means Major League Baseball (wisely) doesn't want to affect outcomes of games based on technicalities. But the "absence of the hindering/impeding element" does not appear to be in the rulebook.

The run stayed on the board. The Tigers added another when pinch hitter Miguel Cabrera followed with a single. Without this turn of events, the Tigers would likely be in the midst of an eight-game losing streak.

Here's a look at the play in question:

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