Braves Beat Pirates On Blown Call

In last night’s Pirates vs Braves game, home plate umpire Jerry Meals called Julio Lugo safe on what clearly should have been an out. Michael McKenry made a swipe tag on Lugo, catching him on the leg and shoulder.  Scott Proctor delivered the RBI in the 19th inning falling on his way to first. Really an unfortunate break for the Pittsburgh, who are now 1 game behind the Cardinals for first place.

Here’s Meal’s explanation on the call. This play reminds me of Jim Joyce’s blown call from last year.

“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. I just saw the glove sweep up. I didn’t see the glove hit his leg.”