MLB rules Rizzo guilty of interference on controversial slide

Major League Baseball reviewed Anthony Rizzo's controversial slide into home plate during Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and found that the Chicago Cubs first baseman interfered with catcher Elias Diaz, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Both teams were reportedly notified of the league's decision, which differed from the ruling on the field as well as official replay review.

"I'm glad that we came to some conclusion and some closure," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told Rogers regarding the ruling.

The report surfaced moments after Cubs skipper Joe Maddon appeared on 670 The Score to vehemently defend Rizzo's slide. Maddon also stated that he did not expect the first baseman to face any retaliation from the Pirates.

The slide in question took place in the eighth inning, with the bases loaded and the Pirates in position to turn a double play. Sean Rodriguez fielded the ball at shortstop and threw home to the catcher Diaz for the force out with the bases loaded. Diaz touched the plate for the putout and moved off of home to throw toward first base for the second out, but airmailed the throw as Rizzo clipped his back leg:

Video courtesy: MLB.com

The Pirates challenged the ruling on the field - which allowed a pair of runs to score on Diaz's error. However, when video review upheld the ruling, Hurdle was ejected for continuing to argue the call.

The Cubs would end up winning 7-0.

Pittsburgh will host the Cubs for two more games this week to wrap up the series.