Bartlett: Pierzynski yelled "obstruction"

The biggest - and most controversial - play of the Rays 6-5 loss to the White Sox had plenty of people talking in post-game.

Here's what happened: White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski became the center of attention in the 10th, when, after getting caught in a rundown between second and third, he tripped, fell and was tagged by Rays SS Jason Bartlett. But second base umpire Doug Eddings ruled that Rays 3B Willy Aybar interfered with Pierzynski, allowing the colorful catcher to advance to third. Pierzynski later scored on Alexei Ramirez's bases-loaded single.

Aybar said he tried to get out of Pierzynski's way, and only made contact after Pierzynski stuck his arm out. Bartlett said he heard Pierzynski yell, "Obstruction!" after he fell, and Pierzynski admitted afterward that he was thinking about trying to get an interference call.

"That was the first thing I thought of, to get somebody to get close enough to where I could touch them. People go, 'How do you think of that, that fast? Well, if you’re not fast, you have to think of a lot of things to try to get you out of bad baserunning."

Eddings wasn't available for comment, but third base umpire Ted Barrett defended the decision:

"As a runner, you're allowed to (make contact). What Doug ruled at second base was, even though A.J. did kind of stick his arm out to make contact, Aybar was still in his way, so A.J., if he would have turned, he wouldn't have been able to continue on to third. So after making the throw, Aybar is no longer in the act of fielding and he can't obstruct the runner, which is what Doug ruled happened. And in a rundown, even though A.J. was going back to second, the rule of obstruction during a rundown is he gets his next advanced base and that's why he was rewarded third base."

"If Aybar's got the ball, there's no obstruction, You protect the fielder when he's in the act of fielding. Once that ball's released and out of his hand, he has to vacate."

According to Bartlett: "I looked up at the umpire thinking he's going to say something like, 'Are you kidding me?' And he's like, 'Yep, yep, yep.' Right there I lost it. I was like, what?" Those are the breaks, I guess."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[9equals8.com]

Does anyone notice anything kind of strange about the umpire's quote after the game (below, fyi):

"What Doug ruled at second base was, even though A.J. did kind of stick his arm out to make contact, Aybar was still in his way, so A.J., if he would have turned, he wouldn't have been able to continue on to third," said third-base umpire Ted Barrett, who addressed the situation after the game. "So after making the throw, Aybar is no longer in the act of fielding and he can't obstruct the runner, which is what Doug ruled happened.

"In a rundown, even though A.J. was going back to second, the rule of obstruction during a rundown is he gets his next advanced base and that's why he was rewarded third base."

Does anyone find it interesting the the umpire seems to be on a first name basis with "A.J." but not with "Aybar"? Might just be a small thing, but thought I'd point it out since I observed it.

[GO RAYS]

let see 9 game with the cws this year the RAYS won 6. enough said.

[9equals8.com]

The BJ play was irrelavant as the runner would have made it to second regardless (that ball was almost on the track and BJ was running backwards to get it). The way he fielded it and threw it in didn't look good, but the reality is that BJ would not have gotten him on that throw (no new BJ controversy here, boys). Gabe Gross' miss in right field on the KG, Jr. hit was actually worse (he would definitely have held him at first or maybe even gunned him out).

Secondly, I now believe there might just be some sort of low level conspiracy against the Rays. I've stated before that this was a possibility given some of the calls, but I was not ready to say it was so. Well, after the disgraceful umpiring in the Angels game (BJ phantom turn call) as well as this game (let's also not forget a stretch in the early part of the season where the Rays were on the wrong side of every single close call) it is becoming clearer by the day that, at the very minimum, the umpiring crues have ZERO respect for the Rays and may in fact, have a real bias against the Rays. They simply cannot believe that the "lowly Rays" are so good. This game warrants a call from the ownership to the commissioner as it's the second time in the last 5 days that a key game in the heat of a pennant race involved a "fabricated" call against the Rays by the crew. The silver lining may just be that the chip on the Rays shoulder become larger and drives them to kick some more butt.

[Raymond]

As has been pointed out, the Rays had the opportunity to win the game in the 9th and blew it. If Upton is in position when he catches the ball in the 10th, AJ doesn't go to second and its a double play and we go to the 11th.

The umpires didn't give the game to Chicago, the Rays did by not doing what they usually do, the little things.

Plus if the call was made correctly, there is still no assurance that the Rays would have won. Unfortunately, we will never know.

What we do know is that the Rays won 2 out of 3 from the White Sox. 2 out of 3 from the Angels. The Red Sox had the easiest shedule of the week and the Rays the most difficult and the Rays held their lead and there are now 6 fewer games left in the season. All in all a very good week.

[Cross]

It's important to note that the instant replay that is set to be implemented will not be designed to review these sorts of calls. It will only be used for disputed home run calls.

[BB]

I turned my back on baseball after the last strike (couldn’t bear to see people making 6 million a year striking). A few years ago, the D-Rays caught my interest and got me back as a baseball fan. Now, I’m almost ready to call it quits again. The ineptness and arrogance of the umpires makes me sick. It keeps happening and nothing gets done about it. The call on AJ was absurd. There was the phantom tag on a Ray at first base. There was BJ’s phantom attempt to go to second base. It just goes on and on. The only answer seems to be video replay, as long as the umpires have no say in the final decision after viewing the replay as they would probably blow that, too.

[Joe]

Oh yea, almost forgot. I like boys.

[Joe]

Maybe Upton should take some of Baldelli's steroids, you know, to sort of get him going. He seems sluggish out there. Or maybe Upton's developing a post-steroids syndrome as well.

[Jim Hunter]

As an avid baseball fan, to say that I am disappointed in the outcome of the Rays-White Sox game on Sunday would be an understatement. For such an important game to be determined by Pierzynski’s unsportsmanlike conduct, and for the umpires to be blind to the same, is unfathomable. I never would have expected this kind of unsportsmanlike behavior from an Ozzie Guillen coached team. And, the fact that the game was on national TV adds even more embarrassment to both the Chicago White Sox and the Umpiring crew, especially 2nd base Umpire Eddings. I certainly hope that Coach Guillen sends a private apology to Coach Madden and I also hope that the Umpires are criticized by their peers for allowing Pierzynski to get away with such an act. Such unsportsmanlike behavior is not condoned in football, basketball or hockey and it should not be in major league baseball either. It is also unfortunate that a game like this cannot be protested, as the Rays would certainly win the protest. Finally, if the White Sox post season position is improved or the Rays ruined by this play, it will be an even worse travesty!

[lawmsh]

This is the 2nd time Doug Eddings has given a game to the White Sox by fabricating a call. Remember he gave game 2 of the 04 ALCS to them by saying a 3rd strike to his friend Perzynski hit the dirt before it was caught. It didn't so the Angles ran off the field; game over. Perzynski must have yelled it hit the dirt and ran to 1st. Eddings ruled him safe and gave the game to the White Sox. Rays could not overcome both Upton and Eddings in the same inning.

[Sally]

The worst call I've ever seen. Maddon should have walked off the field and forfeited the game at that point. We were clearly going to lose and it would have made a statement for that umpire. Should have walked off the f^c*ing field, period. Said can't play when you've got a crooked officiating crew. Marion Jones, Pete Rose, Barroid Bonds, *Roger Clemens, Mar McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, etc all have more integrity than that umpire.

[Charles Manson]

That call begs an investigation. Yes, the game should have been won by the Rays in the previous inning as the runner at the plate had no chance on a cleanly fielded ball. But that's immaterial. The umpires should NOT be handing games to the home team (and always anti-Rays). That umpire should be investigated and not permitted to work any meaningful game for the remainder of the year. I was so mad I was ready to throw my television out the window.

[Mike]

You Sox fans are FUN NY! Tell yourselves whatever you need to in order to feel better, but one thing is for certain...WHEN the Rays advance to postseason play, they will have done it WITHOUT the help of corrupt officials. Enjoy your series loss, you'll get another come October from the Rays.

[Bossman Jr.]

That's what it stands for.

[leg]

Christmas present for old BJ.....please give us this headline...UPTON TRADED. This guy is starting to hurt this team....he can't hit, has no power, and just doesn't get it overall....guess he's just to cool. Please...srat now on getting rid of UPTON...he just plain sucks!!!

[Come on]

For F#ck's sake!

[mick]

Tom, you're a hoot as well. BJ (what does that stand for anyway) will come around as soon as they find a position he can stay focused on. Not 2nd, not 3rd, not short, not outfield, maybe he can pitch???

[GO RAYS]

all you aj the ski people,know he was the wrong,but again you people love that hair. a cheat is a cheat

[Chris]

I enjoyed the game and the outcome, as DeeeWayne always says. Where was Joe "Gives Mea" Migraine been? I enjoyed not hearing his whine for a few games. I thought the call was right on and I think B.J. Upton is a fine young man and even better player. He is gives a 110% for a couple innings a night. Anyway, I think this is just the begining to the D-Rays (Ooops $100 fine I said D-Rays) collapse. Can't wait to see the distraught and pathetic look in your faces when they fall out of first come September. Nice chatting, oh and by the way would any of you like cheese with that whine??

[Tom]

Mick...You're a hoot. Lose five of the last six to us and gloat over a cheaters play...Sure you're not a Red Sox fan? LOL.

Worst call I've ever seen and though I don't believe in conspiracy theories I am starting to wonder.

1 last thing. BJ did screw up again but he's not doing it on purpose. Keep focused on his talent and hope he comes around.

[mick]

Evidently he didn't "peel off" as much as he should have. Like BJ didn't catch the ball and fire it back into the infield like every little league coach teaches them to do.

[John]

"Aybar did not veer off."

Actually he did. He peeled off toward the outfield. AJ moved toward him and stuck out his elbow. If he doesn't stick out the elbow, there is no contact. Aybar would have gone past him.

[Ralph]

After he throws to Barrett, Aybar has got to get out of the way of the runner -- veer off -- or the runner has no chance to exit along the basepath, which according to the rules, he owns except when a defender is fielding a batted ball. Aybar did not veer off. Pierzynski said something, but before I saw his mouth open, I saw the umpire pointing at Barrett. Either way, Pierzynski got to second moments before because Upton slept through his job. It just seems that two inexperienced -- comparatively -- Rays fielders got royally punked by someone who knows how to win backwards and forwards. They won't do it again if they want to play in October

[Mick]

Quit your crying you Tampa loser wimps!
AJ is a hustler and a gamer, unlike BJ Upton.......

[Jay]

"Hey Mark, thanks for taking up for me...Your nephew, Shawn." Anyway, the next words out of Madden's mouth should be, "Congrats Ben , you're in center. BJ, have fun in Durham next week, and then have a nice life. No hard feelings." The kid just doesn't get it. He's too often not in the game. FIVE homers, are you kidding??? Even on his double today, he took two seconds to stare, then oops, better jog, er....run. NO doubt, MLB umps are missing some body parts, but if Riggans makes the play....

[Michael]

Really, Riggans may have had a shot at holding onto the ball, but it was a BAD throw from Zobrist that set it all up. If the throw is better, the runner is out.

[Jason]

"even though A.J. did kind of stick his arm out to make contact"

End of discussion. AJ initiated the contact, even after running into the infield grass which should have automatically made him out.

Eddings blew the call as badly as he did with the dropped 3rd strike in 2005.

I will say if BJ gives the play 100% on the fly ball, AJ would have been involved in at 6-4-3 double play. BJ gave the throw in a less than 100% effort and it finally cost the team the game in a series of mishaps.

The game never should have gotten that far but Zobrist and Riggans didn't get it done in the 9th. Bad throw, worse catch.

[John]

How long are the Ray's going to get screwed by the umps? AJ should not only have been called out but should have been thrown out of the game for throwing a forearm at Aybar.

[Jeff]

EVERYONE can see it EXCEPT the four Men in Black. Tell me again why there is no replay like in the NFL & NHL? Nobody needs it more than arrogant baseball umps and their union. They are not only asking for it, they are begging for it. The Rays should only have to defeat 9 men, not 13! It is way past time for the NBA investigation of the MLB. They better not let these same joker officiate any Rays games in post season or we will know for sure the fix is in!

[Cliff Floyd]

I still stand behind BJ ... he really means well!

[Mark]

Don't blame Riggans for something that happened in the next inning.

Riggans' lack of a catch at home had nothing to do with a 10th inning rundown which was called incorrectly. If AJ is correctly called out, then we have two out with a runner on first, we're not going to intentionally walk the next guy, then set up a 5 infielder formation for the batter after that.

Riggans didn't lose the game, he only allowed it continue. The umpiring crew decided today's outcome, not the players.

AJ knows he got away with one and he's proud of it.

[Russ in GA]

Maddon played it right. He made his point and they even got together afterward. He doesn't want to make enemies with the umps right before the playoffs.

Real goat is Riggins. I mean come on. The throw was there 10 ft before the runner.

[KyleE]

Really too bad the Rays didn't end it before the Umps got another chance to screw them. Pierzynski knew he was dead and made intentional contact and the Umps let him get away with it. Just like a belly flop in basketball. And then he bragged about it.

[Al]

I don't normally complain about officials but awarding Pierzynski third base was so outrageously bad that it calls the integrity of MLB umpires into question. It is time to bring video replays to MLB. I never thought I'd say that but I never questioned how much money Umpire Doug Eddings got paid under the table before, either.

[Edgar]

Few Points I have to make

1. That AJ call was a horrible call. That game was handed to the White Sox.
2. If that was Dioner Navarro behind the plate, he would had handled the Zobrist throw cleanly.
3. BJ Upton does not get it and he has a mental problem on the diamond. It should take a teammate like Floyd should kick his you know what.
4. That should be a lesson to Maddon, instead of Wheeler closing the 9th, Balfour should be handling the closers duty for the meantime.

[William]

That was a terrible call but I'm more disappointed that Joe Maddon didn't blow his top right there on the field at that umpire and get ejected. The umpires know what managers they can and can't get away with bad calls. If that call had gone against the White Sox, Jose Guillen would have gone out and broke that guys neck.

[Ray]

Although that play was screwed up by the umps, the Rays had the game by a simple tag at home by Riggans. He looked up instead of getting the ball from Benzo in the bottom of the 9th.

And it didn't help that BJ (again) had a lacksadiscal throw in from center. Teams know he's like this, so why not take 2nd. He has to learn this isn't little-league anymore and people can actually play the game in the "bigs".

[Gabriel]

I've had enough of this NBA-esque excrement. MLB is obviously trying to prevent the Rays from upstaging the league darlings (the tampon substitutes and the yank-mes). Anyone familiar with baseball knows that the umps are a bunch of prima donna c-suckers and indifferent to the integrity of the game. At some point, consequences need to be issued for the incompetence of these a-holes.

[Bill]

You'd think MLB would be concerned with these obvious blown calls.......Tim Donaghy is just laughing at them all. The thing I detest about these jokers the most is they are afraid to say they made a mistake....we all make them and own up to them.......they will not.

[luke]

It is a proven fact that umpirers have been bought by big money/ after the calls that cost the Rays agame with the white soxs and the laa i think somebody shold start looking at the big money that does'nt want the rays to make the playoffs

[Bill]

These freaking guys won't even admit when they are wrong. That is the worst call I have ever seen and they can't even admit it. AJ needs to be drilled every time that soccer boy flop is up at the plate.....freaking punk @ss.

[David]

maddon needs to demand an apology from major league baseball umpires.

[David]

THESE UMPIRES SHOULD BE FINED!
THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE RULEBOOK!
AYBAR MADE AN ATTEMPT AT GETTING OUT OF THE WAY AND AJ LEFT THE BASELINE TO CREATE CONTACT!!!!!!