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 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).

Nevertheless, the ball is called fair, and pitcher Huston Street fields it.

Todd Helton appears to keep his foot on the bag and make the play at first.

But Utley is called safe.

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).

Umps admit that the ball should have been called foul.

6-8-08: Garrett Atkins called out on a questionalble call at first

Garrett Atkins hits a grounder to the shortstop in the bottom of the third inning.


Atkins is called out at first in the bottom of the third inning (although it appears that Prince Fielder is pulled off the base by the throw from the shortstop).




Actually it is evident that Prince Fielder was, in fact, pulled off the base ...


Bottom of the 3rd inning: Brewers 3, Rockies 1 (ESPN).