Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: a Pearl Amidst a Robbery

After Further Review, Braves squander lead late, are walked-off by Padres 4-3

Do you want a quick replay or an accurate replay?

Let’s jump to the 8th inning.  Freddie Freeman, still trying to beat the shift, kills one out to Left Center field.  Ball appears to be high enough to clear the wall, but caroms back into the field of play.  Freeman ends up at third base.

The on-field umpiring crew was at least man-enough to call for a review on themselves – that’s understandable, given the distance away from the infield and Jay’s interference with the sight line.

If you can’t quite make out what’s going on here, then here’s a sharpened and highlighted version of the same photo (hat tip to Faux Frank Wren).

The guy in the long-sleeved white pullover is in position to catch the ball. His glove has not extended over the field, and the ball is that white streak behind John Jay’s upper arm.

If left to its own devices, that ball will probably hit the top of the wall (at worst) and end up in the stands.

But that’s not what the replay review ump in New York thought.

Actually, I have no idea what he thought:

Yeah:  that call wasn’t just ‘upheld’, it was confirmed from the video.  I could almost understand if the result was inconclusive.  But this is seriously flawed.

Here’s the video of the incident for you to decide.

The upshot is this:  the Braves stranded Freeman at third base and thus failed to get an insurance run going into crunch time.

Then Vizzy happened.

Arodys Vizcaino started the 9th by giving up a homer to Derek Norris that tied the game.  Then a single, a steal, a wild pitch, a walk, a lineout (the first out of the inning) led to a walk-out single to give it to the Padres.

Atlanta should have had a 4-2 lead going to the 9th.  Instead, they fall 4-3.

Lost in all of this:  Aaron Blair didn’t have his best out there, but it kinda worked.  4.1 innings (86 pitches) with 3 walks, 4 K, and 2 ER given up.  Recalling his past starts, that’s at least something to build on.

Casey Kelly, Chris Withrow, and Jim Johnson all did their jobs extremely well:  no walks, no hits.

Can’t say the same for Vizzy or that replay ump.

Next: A Great Outing in Pearl