Foul
Friday night's game 2 of the ALDS was every bit as disappointing as Tuesday's tie-breaker game was satisfying. For multiple reasons the Twins lost the game by a single run when Mark Texeira hit an 11th inning walk-off home run down the left field line. Prior to that the Twins had a couple opportunities to seal a victory.
In the fourth inning Carlos Gomez was caught off second after a Matt Tolbert single to center. Delmon Young was coming around to score easily, but Gomez was tagged before Young crossed the plate, ending the inning with no runs for the Twins. Gomez had no business rounding second on that play, but even after making that mistake he should have kept going, allowing Young enough time to score.
Despite losing that run, the Twins managed to bring a 3-1 lead into the 9th inning for closer Joe Nathan. Nathan promptly gave up a sharply hit single to Texeira following by a 2-run, game tying, home run by Alex Rodriguez to center field. Nathan managed to get the next 3 batters out, but the game headed into extra innings.
In the 10th inning, Nick Punto drew a 2-out walk and then Denard Span singled him over to 3rd. Needing a base hit to score a run, Orlando Cabrera flied out to end the inning.
In the 11th inning, the biggest controversy of the season struck the Twins. Mauer hit a ball down the left field line and replays clearly showed it hitting off Melky Cabrera's glove, then landing within a foot of fair territory before bouncing into the stands for what should have been a leadoff ground rule double. The umpire, Phil Cuzzi, while standing in plain view of the play, somehow managed to call it foul.
Mauer followed up the missed call with a single and Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer followed up with singles of their own to load the bases. Delmon Young lined out, Gomez grounded out and Brendan Harris flied out to end the inning with no outs. Not scoring with bases loaded and no outs is almost as inexcusable as missing an obvious and simple call. At that point, I think every Twins fan knew it was over.
Texeira hit his home run in the leadoff at-bat of the bottom of that inning, and just like that the Yankees lead the series 2-0.
I'm not an advocate of instant replay in baseball, but plays like tonight's in high profile games seriously make me re-think my position. What do you think, will this play lead to the expansion of MLB's instant replay to include more than just home run calls next season?
Topics: Mark Texeira, Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins, Alex Rodriguez, Nick Punto, Denard Span, Orlando Cabrera, Melky Cabrera
4 Comments
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John MillerOct 10, 2009 12:40:51 PM
Here's how to call the offices of Major League Baseball to leave a message if you have an opinion of umpire Phil Cuzzi. (212) 931-7800
In case you're interested, here's what happens in the voicemail system, so you can be more well prepared
Message Voice: "You have reached the office of major league baseball" .... "Press 1 for company directory"
My advice: don't bother, it asks you to press the first three letters of the person's last name. I already tried S-E-L for Selig (Commissioner Bud Selig) and it doesn't have any listings. So just hold the line to wait for the "general mailbox."
It asks you several questions for you to reply to
1) " Whom are you trying to reach? "
2) " Who's calling Please? "
3) " At what number can you be reached? "
4) " What's this in reference to? "
5) "What additional message would you like to leave ?"
brian d. mannOct 10, 2009 01:13:30 PM
It doesn't matter when your closer is a chicken.
Ron DavisOct 17, 2009 08:55:51 AM
The Twins I got to give them credit they made a improbable run and won the division. Then had to turn around and face the evil empire. Yeah we really screwed up against the Yankees. We have not had much luck against those guys. It would have been nice to win a couple of those games and make them sweat a little though. The good part is we should have some key players back for next year. The bad part is the Yankees, Red Sox and all the rest of that bunch will be back again also. Without any salary cap structure the rich get richer and the rest just play for respect. I don't know how a Yankee fan can even hold his head up when every season is bought and paid for. Its just a bunch of hired guns mixed in with a few true Yankee players. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with getting a little help to shore up a position or too. Cy Young pitcher, All star 1st baseman the list goes on and money is no object. Its know wonder that football replaced baseball as americas pastime. Those who say the Yankees are good for the game are Yankee fans. They do have great attendance when they travel its because everyone else wants to see them lose. When I was a kid back in the 60's I would go to see games and root for the Twins but I also went to watch some of the greats of the game on the other team. That was an appreciation for the game itself. Todays baseball is just buy a bunch of players to win. If it weren't for the Twins, & the Tampa bays, Rockies and a few other teams that break through here and there the game would go right into the toilet. I got a $100 dollars that says the Yankees will be in next years playoffs again. I will take any and all bets that say it isnt so. 515-897-2902 is my number. If I said that about the central winning Twins my phone would be ringing off the hook with calls from Chicago & Detriot. Go Angels.
Oct 10, 2009 11:36:45 AM
"As Ron Gardenhire pointed out after the game, it would’ve been a different inning with Mauer on second rather than first. Jason Kubel immediately followed with a single to right, but Mauer, correct or not, pointed out that the single may not have gotten through the hole if he had been on second rather than first."