Monday, October 12, 2009

Pair of bad calls

With the score tied 5-5 in the top of the ninth inning of game 3 of the NLDS, Chase Utley is at the plate with one out and a runner on second.

Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5554

Utley hits the ball into the ground behind home plate, and the ball appears to ricochet off of his right leg while he is still in the batter's box (i.e., a foul ball).
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5555
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5556
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5557

Nevertheless, the ball is called fair, and pitcher Huston Street fields it.
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5560
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5561


Todd Helton appears to keep his foot on the bag and make the play at first. Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5564
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5565
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5566

But Utley is called safe.
Utley-Play at first-2009-10-12 Top of 9th-5569

Instead of two outs with a man on third in the top of the ninth, it is one out with men on first and third. The next batter, Ryan Howard, hits a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring what proved to be the winning run.

Final: Phillies 6, Rockies 5 (Phillies lead best of five series 2-1).

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