(YouTube)Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly filed a formal complaint with the commissioner's office to protest the blown call that cost them the game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night.
The Pirates lost 4-3 in the 19th inning after umpire Jerry Meals called Julio Lugo safe at the plate. The throw to catcher Michael McKenry arrived in plenty of time, and McKenry appeared to have tagged Lugo about five feet in front of the plate. But Meals thought McKenry missed the tag and called the runner safe.
Coonelly wrote in his complaint:
"The Pittsburgh Pirates organization is extremely disappointed by the way its 19-inning game against the Atlanta Braves ended earlier this morning. The game of baseball and this game in particular, filled with superlative performances by players on both clubs, deserved much better. We have filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner.
"While we cannot begin to understand how umpire Jerry Meals did not see the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate, we do not question the integrity of Mr. Meals. Instead, we know that Mr. Meals' intention was to get the call right. Jerry Meals has been umpiring Major League games for 14 years and has always done so with integrity and professionalism. He got this one wrong."
Tuesday's loss put the Pirates one game behind first-place St. Louis in the National League Central. Pittsburgh is on track for their first winning season in 19 years.
(with information from The Associated Press)
