Maddon: Might as well have nerds do video reviews

CHICAGO — Cubs manager Joe Maddon think baseball's video review umpires should be replaced by "a bunch of nerds."

Chicago's 5-2 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday night ended when Chris Denorfia singled off the base of the leftfield wall with two outs in the ninth and was thrown out at second by Scott Van Slyke.

Second base umpire Jordan Baker's call was upheld after a video review by umpires at Baseball Advanced Media in New York.

"I cannot believe the conclusion," Maddon said. "I mean, even as a fan standing in the dugout at that particular moment, I wish that whomever made that call could have been at Wrigley Field and looked at our big screen if they wanted to see something definitive. To say there was nothing definitive, I cannot disagree with more strongly. That might be the worst non-overturn I've seen.

"I just think it really screams for an independent group back there to really research the video as opposed to working umpires who are on the field. I think you should get just a bunch of nerds back there who know how to look at a videotape and then come to a conclusion. I think it'll be much more interesting that way."

PEDROIA ON DL: The Red Sox, who open a series at the Rays tonight, put 2B Dustin Pedroia on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Manager John Farrell called him the "heart and soul of our team." In other Red Sox news, Jackie Bradley was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket and his infield hit against the Orioles stopped an 0-for-30 slide dating to Sept. 14.

RANGERS: RH reliever Spencer Patton was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. OF Michael Choice was optioned to Round Rock, one day after he was recalled.

TIGERS: RHP Bruce Rondon struck out two in an eight-pitch seventh against the White Sox, his first major-league appearance since Sept. 24, 2013. He had Tommy John surgery in March 2014.