A long night, an awful call, a Braves win led by Scott Proctor
Is that Scott Proctor in the middle of a Braves celebration this morning? Nah. (AP photo)
Jordan Schafer looked at the clock. It was 2:15 a.m. and he still wasn’t showered.
“I would’ve like to have been asleep a couple of hours ago,” the Braves center fielder said. “But it obviously makes it better that we won.”
Is that what just happened?
One of the longest and strangest games in baseball history ended at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday. The Braves defeated Pittsburgh 4-3 in 19 innings.
Time of game: 6 hours, 39 minutes. If seemed like if it had gone much longer, shadows from the sunrise would have started affecting the hitters.
There appeared to be less than 5,000 fans at Turner Field still left from the original crowd of 22,036. Maybe they were thinking the longer the game went, there was a decent chance they would receive a free continental breakfast.
Or maybe they just wanted a story to tell their grandchildren one day.
Or maybe they figured they might get a chance to pitch. I mean, if Scott Proctor got a chance to pitch, could it be that long before team scouts began roaming the aisles for relief help?
This game went so long that catcher Brian McCann left after nine innings with a strained oblique, the Braves announced he would go on the 15-day disabled list and by the end of the game you wondered if he was healed and eligible to be activated again.
Here are some things you missed while sleeping:
♦ The numbers: 41 players combined for 158 plate appearances and faced — ready for this? — 608 pitches from 15 pitchers. The understatement of the day came from manager Fredi Gonzalez (who actually had been ejected with Nate McLouth back in the ninth): “Both teams are going to have to push their starters a little tomorrow.” No. Really?
♦ The spectator: It was just before 1 a.m. when Proctor – possibly the most lampooned Braves player since Greg Norton – became a trending topic on Twitter. Why? Simply because he was the Braves’ last non-starting pitcher left. He sat in the bullpen watching Tommy Hanson, Eric O’Flaherty, Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbel — Hah! The closer entered in only the ninth inning! – Scott Linebrink, George Sherrill and Christian Martinez pitch. Wonder how many games of solitaire he played?
The thought occurred that the Braves were trying to avoid bringing Proctor in, given he started the night with a 7.36 ERA. (The fact Martinez threw an improbable six shutout innings of relief, a relative “quality start,” helped.) Any way, Proctor’s extending viewing became a running online gag. When told later he was trending on Twitter, Proctor said, “I was what?” You were a hot topic. “Oh, I’m sure. I’m not very well liked right now.”
♦ The absurdity: When Proctor finally got into the game, he walked his first batter. But he got the last laugh. He not only pitched two shutout innings and got the win, he had the game-winning RBI. Somehow. We were witness to the worst call by an official in the history of professional sports. (Hey, it’s late. I’m punchy. I’m entitled to make this declaration.) With Schafer on first and Julio Lugo on third, Proctor sent a ground ball to Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez. He stumbled as he took a step toward first. He joked later, “I forgot where first base was. I’m used to running to the dugout.” Alvarez fielded the ball and threw home to Michael McKenry. Lugo clearly was out by 10 feet — except on umpire Jerry Meals’ home planet. Meals called him safe. Then Clint Hurdle’s head exploded.
♦ Proctor was mobbed by teammates. It’s not the first time he has been in the middle of a mob scene. It’s just the first time people weren’t carrying torches and pitchforks.
♦ Some amusing commentary: This is from Braves general manager Frank Wren (following an eye roll and a smile): “I wasn’t close enough to make a call.”
This is from Lugo (between smiles): “He made an appreciation call.” A what? “He appreciated whether I was safe or out. I was safe.”
This is from Eric Hinske, as he walked past Proctor: “That guy can hit!”
This is from Schafer: “I started going back to second base. Then I saw Julio jumping up and down and I was like, ‘Wait, what happened? Oh. I guess we won.’ I thought he was out. But we’ll take it.”
This is from McKenry to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: “I was kind of baffled. I didn’t know what to do or what to say.”
This is from Meals, who possibly was suffering from dehydration, heat prostration or dementia, to pool reporter Mark Bowman of MLB.com: “I saw the tag, but he looked like he oléd him and I called him safe for that. I looked at the replays and it appeared he might have got him on the shin area. I’m guessing he might have got him, but when I was out there when it happened I didn’t see a tag.”
Excuse me, but: “He oléd him”?
♦ One more number: Martin Prado would like to forget this one. He went 0-for-9. The game ended with him in the on-deck circle. Fortunately.
♦ Even one more number: The Braves stranded 23 baserunners.
♦ OK, final numbers: Dan Uggla has a 17-game hitting streak. But after singling in his first two at-bats to reach and pass .200 for the first time since May 16, he went hitless with a walk in his next seven plate appearances. He finished at 2-for-8 and saw his season average drop from .202 in the third inning to .199. Millions of little children had gone to sleep thinking Uggla would finally end a day hitting over .200.
With that, I’m going home now. It’s 4:44 in the morning. Traffic should be clear.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: Heyward still determined to make impact on Braves’ system
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354 comments Add your comment
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:03 pm
Dude you’re comparing apples to oranges. You can brush a tag over a guys jersey the same way you could brush a tag over a guys leg. Again, theres no guarantee the glove will move like you’re assuming it will.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. One says, “I think I’ve lost an electron.”
The other says, “Are you sure?”
The first says, “Yes, I’m positive…”
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
You have to be joking a jersey has 100% give in it. You can swipe a jersey and the runner wouldnt even feel it.
If you go to try and sweep tag a leg, IF you make contact that leg wont give and the gloves motion will be altered. Your basically trying to say that when you make a motion to brush your pants off you legs give in and you can contiune on your original path..
Do you not see how dumb you sound?
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
Your comparing a glove brushing over a guys jersey to a glove running straight into a guys leg. It obviously did not run straight into his leg, thats completely different.
Come on (my face) man
July 27th, 2011
2:07 pm
Why do I care about being right so damn much?!?!?!
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:08 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
Your comparing a glove brushing over a guys jersey to a glove running straight into a guys leg. It obviously did not run straight into his leg, thats completely different.
Its to show that there would be a change in motion you moron. Comparing it to the jersey allowed me to show that a sweep tag isnt altered when it touches the flimsy jersey bc there isnt anything in the baggy parts but air so it contiunes on its path.
If it touches a leg , which is solid, it would have a disruption in its path and it would be clearly noticable in replay which it isnt. So once again your a dumb@$$
Rob
July 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
I can’t believe that this idiot Shultz called the call (which was correct by the way, please people get some eyes) awful. Just about every other call that ump made all night was awful, but this one was right on the money. Big ups for Lugo for staying with the play and not giving up on it. That kind of heart is the reason why, at the end of the year, the Braves will be in their rightful place — NL East Champs, NL Champs, World Series Champs!
Go Braves!
Josh Smith for 3
July 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
Watching the play live, I thought Lugo was absolutely 100% out. After watching countless replays all morning, I still believe that he was out. However, the tag was simply not a very good one. McKenry’s glove made contact but he just barely brushed Lugo’s shin with it. If he had applied the tag directly rather than with a quick swipe, we’re most likely looking at another inning. And don’t tell me he didn’t have time to really apply that tag, the throw beat him by mile.
It’s pretty obvious that we need instant replay in baseball but apparently Bud Selig isn’t so sure. Must be easy being the commissioner of a game that has been virtually unchanged in over 100 years.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
Lol wow you have very few comprehension skills. You can’t comprehend that theres any chance a guy could slide a tag over a guys leg without it completely changing its path.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
right on ROB. looks like 4-1 man. Your argument is getting weaker every post your almost about to give in.
Come on (my face) man
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
Shultz is an idiot! I hate em I hate em I hate em
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:11 pm
You keep saying it touches a leg which is solid. But like I said before the tag slid over the guys leg not directly into it, which would look the same as a tag sliding over a jersey.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:11 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
Lol wow you have very few comprehension skills. You can’t comprehend that theres any chance a guy could slide a tag over a guys leg without it completely changing its path.
You a complete dumb@$$ for thinking that it wouldnt change the path. Your entire arguement is based of a crappy picture you saw. congrats idiot.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
Yeah im really worred about what some morons commenting on a sports blog post have to say. I can no longer go on.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
It doesnt have to be right into it. Even when you brush a leg your path will change and you will see it with the slow mo close up replay.
Keep making my arguement stronger please!
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:13 pm
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
Yeah im really worred about what some morons commenting on a sports blog post have to say. I can no longer go on.
Well at least the last moron left is leaving.
Come On Man
July 27th, 2011
2:14 pm
You’re a fool for assuming it absolutely would change its path. Don’t assume it makes an ASSofUNME
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:15 pm
Its not an assumption it is what would happen period.
Come on (my face) man
July 27th, 2011
2:15 pm
1-800-Isuckatlife
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:16 pm
you can even try it out yourself. try and make a quick sweeping motion over your knee with a straight arm. You will see it gets deflected upward when it comes into contact even just barely touching the knee.
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:18 pm
let me know how your experiment goes.. ill be here waiting on oyur apology
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
2:21 pm
If Pirates could have got a squeeze bunt down or scored in any one of the last 16 innings they would have won. Now they want to file a complaint about the game. They should quit crying. They had all game to score 1 run. Don’t blame the ump.
Zing
July 27th, 2011
2:22 pm
You know what? I just looked at the video online, and damned if it looks like the catcher didn’t actually ever touch Julio! I’m not kidding! The ball absolutely got there first, the tag should have gotten him, but it looks like he sort of did the ole thing as Meals contended. Weird-looking play. But by God, what do you know!
Little Girl
July 27th, 2011
2:27 pm
LET’S GO PI-RATES
Brad Komminsk
July 27th, 2011
2:27 pm
Yes, watching it in real time you can see where a tag is not in fact obvious. I’m sure the thing that makes it hard for the Pirates fans and players to swallow is the fact that the ball beat Lugo by so much he absolutely SHOULD have been out. But McKenry probably had it in his mind that they were going to be able to double-up Proctor, especially after he clumsily fell over himself and so did not put enough emphasis on tagging out the potential wining run. By the way, I’ll have a little more sympathy for the Pirates when Kent Hrbek pulls one of their players off a base to get an out in a world series game. Until then, we’re still the victim of one of the all-time worst calls.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
2:28 pm
So, a neutron walks into a bar. “I’d like a beer” he says. The bartender promptly serves up a beer. “How much will that be?” asks the neutron.
“For you?” replies the bartender, “no charge.”
He Was SAFE
July 27th, 2011
2:28 pm
Guess Come on Man realized he was wrong and stupid hahahahhahaha
Rich T
July 27th, 2011
2:32 pm
You should stay up and write all night more often, Jeff. Your usual good writing is hysterical here. I loved the crack about Proctor and being mobbed. Great Stuff!
ATLcracker
July 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
There is no replay that clearly shows a tag, The still photo is from above and you can’t see. The replay from near the visitor dugout (1:45 on the MLB replay) seems to show he missed. But look where the umpire was. He had his face right in there at the perfect angle to make the call. I think he got it right.
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
2:40 pm
A man walked into a bar and sat down, and ordered a beer. As he sipped the beer, he heard a soothing voice say “nice tie!” Looking around, he noticed that the bar was empty except for himself and the bartender at the end of the bar. A few sips later the voice said “beautiful shirt”.
At this, the man called the bartender over. “Hey…I must be losing my mind,” he told the bartender. “I keep hearing these voices saying nice things, and there’s not a soul in here but us.”
“It’s the peanuts,” answered the bartender.
“Say what?”
“You heard me,” said the barkeep. “It’s the peanuts … they’re complimentary.”
The Bream Team
July 27th, 2011
2:42 pm
I hope not trading Mike Minor for Carlos Beltran isn’t like not trading Andres Thomas for Barry Bonds.
JASon
July 27th, 2011
2:43 pm
They’re trying to say that it looks like his pant leg is waving. That’s called air. It has a tendency to make things wave, especially when something is moving at a high speed. Ever seen a flag
Dirty Dawg
July 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
I don’t know if much has been made of the little gal Pirates fan in the outfield stands that you could hear over the TV…and I don’t know where the mic was that was picking up her voice, but the little gal has some pipes on her. Think Chip almost made her the ‘fan of the year’ with that act. Don’t think her little brother thought much of it though.
Dirty Dawg
July 27th, 2011
3:00 pm
…and furthermore, if I were the Pirates I’d find that little gal’s momma and daddy and give them all dugout-level seats for the next two games. Shoot I’d even bring ‘em to Pittsburgh.
Overcoming Depression and Anxiety | More Ammo for Pro-Replay MLB Fans
July 27th, 2011
3:08 pm
[...] Julio Lugo and the author of the game-winning RBI was reliever Scott Proctor is some indication of just how weird things got in the game. But Meals’s call, which can be seen in devastating animated-.gif form at Grant Brisbee’s [...]
Jake
July 27th, 2011
3:24 pm
Before anyone thinks I’m some I’m some Pirates fan trolling ATL newpapers, I’m not. But Lugo was dead at the plate. I watched the game via MLB TV from Seattle, and I was watching the Braves feed. Even the Braves play-by-play guys thought he was out. It was a terrible call, but what are you going to do? Game was over but it was a terrible way for a good game to end.
JeanE
July 27th, 2011
3:27 pm
Glad I didn’t stay up for that one…that idiot Meals obviously just wanted to go home and decided to give it to the home team. Boo Hiss!!
Atlanta87
July 27th, 2011
3:32 pm
One day a little pig walked into a bar. He drank a couple, then got up to leave. he asked the bartender, “Which way to the bathroom?” She answered, “Go down the hall, first door on your left.” The pig went to the bathroom and left.
The next day another little pig came into the bar. he also had a few drinks, and asked the bartender where the bathroom was. Again, she told him, “Go down the hall, first door on your left.” Again, he went to the bathroom and left.
This went on for another week. One day a pig walked in. he had a few drinks, but he got up and started to walk out. The bartender stopped him and asked, “Aren’t you going to ask where the bathroom is?”
The little pig replied “No, I’m going wee wee wee all the way home…”
Jbellfp
July 27th, 2011
3:33 pm
Come on Jeff Schultz… How can you say he clearly had him by 10 feet? You might have seen where Pit’s catcher just nicked Lugo on the leg with the tip of his glove in a slowed down instant replay. But clearly? If you watch the replay from the camera behind the home plate umpire his glove comes up from his in one fluid motion. I can see why it looked to the ump like Pit’s catcher “oled” him. It was a horrible tag. You reporters… I just listened to ESPN talk about the play, and heard the words “although looking at replay there wasnt clear indesputible evidence that the tag was made,” followed by asking Buster his thoughts on expanded replay to avoid calls like this in the future?!Anybody else see anything wrong with that?
PMC
July 27th, 2011
3:38 pm
SWEEP THE LEG!!!
Zing
July 27th, 2011
3:49 pm
Guys, seriously– look at the video. He definitely SHOULD have gotten him–the ball clearly, obviously beat him and the tag was between Lugo and the plate– but Lugo was, I guess, so late, and the catcher was so focused on the double-play, that he MISSED THE TAG. Looks like by a centimeter. But plays at the plate aren’t like the phantom second base thing.
Amazing.
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
3:51 pm
Douchebag missed the tag…YEAH!
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
3:53 pm
DingDong didn’t have sense enough to BLOCK THE PLATE…..YEAH!
Paul
July 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
From Pittsburgh. More injustices for the Pirates will come. When your team stinks for 20 years, suddenly become competitive, a game is on the line against a blue chip team…sorry you aren’t going to get the call.
ASG
July 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
Yes Lugo was probably out but the catcher applying a swipe tag left doubt with the umpire. He looked like a shortstop applying a tag to a baserunner attempting a steal. Catch the ball, block the plate and apply the tag.
ChillyMutt
July 27th, 2011
4:15 pm
Something that I haven’t seen … If the catcher applies the tag correctly instead of as if he were at 2nd base, then he actually would have tagged Lugo. The swipe tag missed and its the catcher that should be shouldering the blame.
ChillyMutt
July 27th, 2011
4:17 pm
Oh an where was the outrage this weekend when Heyward clearly was not tagged sliding into home but was called out. The replay showed there that the tag missed him by a half foot.
David Granger
July 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
Looked like one of those “It’s late, boys…let’s go home” calls.
BravesStillOwnEm
July 27th, 2011
4:25 pm
They are protesting the Braves whomping victory…lol…How can you protest a game that went 19 innings? You had TEN INNINGS to win and your catcher missing the tag like a little league wanker wouldn’t have mattered! Hahahaha…it was just like watching Sid Bream all over again. Love it! Braves still own ‘em for TWENTY YEARS!
ChillyMutt
July 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
A 3 legged dog walks into a saloon and says:
“I’m looking for the man who shot my paw”