No, it wasn't 22-year-old "King Felix" who blew his top in tonight's game. He pitched last night and pitched quite well, before the Red Sox blew things open in the eighth inning.
Tonight's story has to do with someone on the field who absolutely should NOT play a large part in the outcome of a baseball game. Yes, you guessed it—a man in stripes is the culprit.
Umpire Angel Hernandez did something the Fox Sports announcer had never seen before in a game. Mr. Hernandez ejected a defender from the game in the middle of an inning.
The Red Sox player on the raw end of the deal was shortstop Julio Lugo. Nobody at Safeco Field saw this one coming!
Raul Ibanez had a questionable check swing on the play, which was called to question by Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, as well as the home plate umpire. When called upon, Angel Hernandez responded by signaling the batter did not swing.
Just when it seemed like the play was over, the fiery umpire turned to his left and pumped his arm to signal the ejection of Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo.
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Normally, as a Red Sox fan, I wouldn't complain about something like this because Julio Lugo's defense this season has been atrocious—but as a pure baseball fan this play struck a huge nerve. This umpire stepped out of the role given to him, and played a large part in the outcome of this game.
Before any of this happened, things were looking good for the Mariners. Miguel Batista was throwing great and seemed to be fighting his way through a Red Sox lineup that seemed a little down on themselves as a result of their horrible showing on the road thus far.
Not only that, the Mariners offense had even mustered three runs off of Japanese flamethrower Daisuke Matsuzaka before he left the game with an undisclosed injury after four innings.
After this excursion, in which Red Sox manager Terry Francona was also thrown out for the first time this season, something changed in the Red Sox dugout. When the Red Sox came out to bat in the top half of the sixth inning Dustin Pedroia reached on an error, David Ortiz singled to right field, and then Manny Ramirez homered to right center field.
This might just seem like some good players getting hits with a "not so good" pitcher on the mound, but that didn't seem like the case to me.
I think Big Papi and Manny wanted to take a stand for their Latin American teammate and friend! Not only did both Ortiz and Manny get hits in the next half inning to tie the game, but Manny made a great outfield play throwing out Adrian Beltre at third base the next time he went out to play defense.
I'll let you answer this question for yourself. Should umpires play that large of a part in deciding who wins a baseball game?
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3 months ago
I frankly have to disagree. First of all, while I admit I don't know any of the details behind the Lugo ejection, or why he was ejected, it doesn't really matter if a player is playing defense or offense, if they step out of line and say or do something inappropriate, the umpire has the right to eject them. Also, to be quite honest, I have trouble believing that the ejection of either Lugo or Francona really had that much of an effect on the game. In fact, if anything, this article seems to imply the Red Sox played BETTER because of it, not worse. Also, fielders get thrown out all the time, especially in brawl situations (which, granted, this was not). That being said, it was still pretty random, and depending on what was said, perhaps even uncalled for, and I agree that I don't think anyone in Safeco Field saw it comming. This would be one of those times where I think it would interesting if they were miked and we were able to hear the conversation going on out there to see what exactly was said between the two that led to the quick ouster by Hernandez.
from 3 months ago
I think it is true that you don't know much about this specific situation. Julio Lugo wasn't anywhere close to Angel Hernandez when this whole scuffle happened, and I don't know what was said, but it was on a call about whether the batter swung or not.
Angel Hernandez is a hot head! The announcers of last night's game on Fox Sports Northwest said he throws people out on a regular basis before most umpires would. Also, the color man said this was the first time he had ever seen a defender thrown out of a game in the middle of an inning. This does not happen very often, and I don't think it was merited by Lugo.
You cannot compare this to a brawl situation because they have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in common.
Lastly, I think you have a lot to learn about professional sports if you don't think something like this could fire up the team. Lugo, Ortiz and Ramirez have a connection because they're the only players on the team from Latin America. Of course something like this could make them play harder. You don't think baseball could get a little mundane for someone making $18 million dollars a season?
I also would love to hear what actually happened out there, but you must agree this wasn't right.
3 months ago
I think that there is nothing that the players can do regarding how the umpires manage the game. All they can do is adjust to it. When people come into an NBA game with Dick Bavetta, they know not to talk back to him, cause he will T you up quick. Or, when an umpire has a tall strike zone, pitchers pound that lower part. By definition umpires control the outcome of the game, although its sad when they do so controversially.
3 months ago
An article on www.courant.com quotes Lugo as saying that all he said was "check" about the same time Hernandez said it was a check-swing, and also quotes 3rd baseman Lowell confirming that was indeed all Lugo said. He was then ejected and would not tell Lugo why.
about 1 month ago
Angel Hernandez should be fired. I don't know why Bud Selig tolerates his wrong calls and his fiery temper. For sure, he is trying to get some attention because fans only watch for the team and players they rooted. Hey Mr. Angel Hernandez, you deserve to be in the BUSH LEAGUE and in HALL OF SHAME.
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