ALCS: Third out doesn't stop Sox

A disputed call lets a runner reach on a strikeout to set up the winner and tie up the ALCS.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published October 13, 2005

	[AP photo]
	A third strike to Chicago's A.J. Pierzynski in the ninth is the turning point in the game when home-plate umpire Doug Eddings ruled Angels catcher Josh Paul trapped the ball, though replays seemed to indicate Paul caught it on the fly. Paul, thinking there were three outs, flips the ball back toward the mound as Pierzynski takes off for first, right, reaching easily.

CHICAGO - The Angels figured it was a routine third strike. The White Sox happily claimed they didn't know any better. The umpires insisted they did the right thing.

And, somehow, the American League Championship Series is all tied up.

What was a fairly tense pitching duel turned strangely when Angels catcher Josh Paul casually tossed the ball toward the mound after he thought A.J. Pierzynski struck out to make the third out of the ninth. And by the time the aftereffects of home-plate umpire Doug Eddings' controversial call were felt, the Sox ended up with an odd 2-1 victory in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series.

"I feel for them because there's no question it was a screwed-up thing," Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said. "We look at it as kind of a freebie."

The game appeared headed to extra innings after nine strong innings by Sox starter Mark Buehrle and equally effective work by Angels starter Jarrod Washburn and three relievers.

With two outs in the ninth and a full count, Pierzynski swung and missed at strike three. Eddings pumped his fist, a signal most would think indicates an out. Paul, with no reason to think the inning wasn't over, tossed the ball toward the mound and ran off the field.

But ...

Pierzynski really wasn't out. He instead ran to first, and the umpires, despite a vehement protest by Angels manager Mike Scioscia, let him stay. Pinch-runner Pablo Ozuna stole second. And Joe Crede lashed a double to left on an 0-and-2 pitch that scored the winner.

"It was a swing, our catcher caught it, Doug Eddings called him out, and somewhere along the line because the guy ran to first base, he altered the call," Scioscia said. "He called him out, and that's what is disappointing."

Eddings said the call was actually his "strike three mechanic" for any swinging strike, not an indication it was an out. He said Paul didn't catch the ball but trapped it against the ground, and he said replays support his call, or at least make it appear inconclusive that the ball was caught. And he said he was surprised Paul didn't tag Pierzynski just to be sure.

"I was pretty shocked at what took place," Eddings said.

So were the Angels.

"We're very angry about the call," Paul said. "We feel it was the wrong call."

Paul maintains he cleanly caught the ball, Eddings didn't say anything (as umpires usually do) about it not being caught and he had no doubt the inning was over.

"I was a little confused because I caught the ball," said Paul, the Angels' third-string catcher. "So I was a lot confused."

Pierzynski admitted he, too, was a little unsure. But when he didn't hear Eddings call him out, he figured it was worth a shot.

"It was a tough situation, and I ran," he said. "I was like, "Well, if he calls me out, we'll try and shut them down in another inning,' and luckily Joe hit one to win the game."

Until the controversial ending, it was a game of strong pitching and limited opportunities. Buehrle was dominating, scattering five hits and allowing his only run on a fifth-inning homer by Robb Quinlan.

Washburn, who missed his last start due to strep throat and spent Sunday and Monday in virtual quarantine, came back strong. The only run against him came after he made a throwing error on leadoff man Scott Podsednik's comebacker.

The Angels were trying to be careful what they said, but it was obvious they felt the game - or at least a chance to win - was taken from them.

"I've never seen that, and I'm a catcher," Bengie Molina said. "We could have won or we could have lost, but at least it would have been fair to keep going."

The Sox saw it slightly differently.

"Do we feel lucky? No," Pierzynski said. "Do they feel lucky they won (Tuesday) night? No. We feel, like I just said, it can go either way."

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:12:06]