It's tough to lose a baseball game after 19 innings, but it's even tougher to lose the game on a horrible call by an umpire. That's what happened to the Pittsburgh Pirates early Wednesday morning at Turner Field in Atlanta after they played a game that lasted 6 hours and 39 minutes, only to lose to the Atlanta Braves on a controversial call.
In Atlanta last night, there were runners on second and third for the Braves in the bottom of the 19th inning with one out against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Scott Proctor hits a grounder to the Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, who throws home in plenty of time to get Julio Lugo, who was heading home from third. Lugo slides before he gets to home plate and is tagged by Pirates catcher Michael McKenry. However, as Lugo gets up, he steps on home plate and umpire Jerry Meals calls Lugo safe, giving the Braves the 4-3 win.
Watch the video here courtesy of MLB.com.
According to the replay, umpire Jerry Meals claimed that McKenry missed the tag on Lugo, but the replay shows that McKenry tags Lugo in the knee and in the arm with the glove. Was umpire Jerry Meals tired and just looking to go home? This was clearly a terrible call, and looks like another case that backs instant replay in major league baseball.
Both the Braves and the Pirates are in the mix for the playoffs. I would hope that this umpire's call is not going to be a factor in deciding the fates of these two teams at the end of the season. Commissioner Bug Selig needs to get with the program - the time has come for instant replay.
In Atlanta last night, there were runners on second and third for the Braves in the bottom of the 19th inning with one out against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Scott Proctor hits a grounder to the Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, who throws home in plenty of time to get Julio Lugo, who was heading home from third. Lugo slides before he gets to home plate and is tagged by Pirates catcher Michael McKenry. However, as Lugo gets up, he steps on home plate and umpire Jerry Meals calls Lugo safe, giving the Braves the 4-3 win.
Watch the video here courtesy of MLB.com.
According to the replay, umpire Jerry Meals claimed that McKenry missed the tag on Lugo, but the replay shows that McKenry tags Lugo in the knee and in the arm with the glove. Was umpire Jerry Meals tired and just looking to go home? This was clearly a terrible call, and looks like another case that backs instant replay in major league baseball.
Both the Braves and the Pirates are in the mix for the playoffs. I would hope that this umpire's call is not going to be a factor in deciding the fates of these two teams at the end of the season. Commissioner Bug Selig needs to get with the program - the time has come for instant replay.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
