First base umpire Jerry Meals should be embarrassed after his amazingly bad blown call at the end of Saturday night's New York Yankees-Baltimore Orioles game which could have major implications in the race for the American League East.
In the top of the ninth inning with the Orioles holding a 5-4 lead, Yankees batter Mark Teixiera came up with one out and runners on first and third. Teixiera hit a grounder to second baseman Robert Andino, and the Orioles went to turn the double play. Andino tossed the ball to shortstop J.J. Hardy for the force at second, and then Hardy threw to first baseman Mark Reynolds to complete the double play. Teixiera made a head first slide and appeared to hit the bag way before the ball landed in Reynolds' glove (see photo above, via LBS), but Meals called Teixiera out at first.
The replay showed that it was not even a close play, as Teixiera was safe by a decent margin. Had Teixiera been correctly called safe, the play would have tied the game at 5-5 with the runner at third base crossing home plate. Instead, the double play gave the Orioles a 5-4 win and allowed them to tie the Yankees for the AL East division lead.
Naturally, Meals was unavailable for comment after the game. What say you, Commissioner Selig?
H/T LBS.
Related: Dewayne Wise gets credit for catch without a ball in his glove (Video)
In the top of the ninth inning with the Orioles holding a 5-4 lead, Yankees batter Mark Teixiera came up with one out and runners on first and third. Teixiera hit a grounder to second baseman Robert Andino, and the Orioles went to turn the double play. Andino tossed the ball to shortstop J.J. Hardy for the force at second, and then Hardy threw to first baseman Mark Reynolds to complete the double play. Teixiera made a head first slide and appeared to hit the bag way before the ball landed in Reynolds' glove (see photo above, via LBS), but Meals called Teixiera out at first.
The replay showed that it was not even a close play, as Teixiera was safe by a decent margin. Had Teixiera been correctly called safe, the play would have tied the game at 5-5 with the runner at third base crossing home plate. Instead, the double play gave the Orioles a 5-4 win and allowed them to tie the Yankees for the AL East division lead.
Naturally, Meals was unavailable for comment after the game. What say you, Commissioner Selig?
H/T LBS.
Related: Dewayne Wise gets credit for catch without a ball in his glove (Video)
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.
