Lack Of Instant Replay Costing Tampa Bay Rays Big Through First Two Games

First I would like to say that the Texas Rangers have been playing great Baseball, pitching lights out with Cliff Lee and CJ Wilson with consistant hitting all through the lineup. This does not mean major league officials should ignore the fact that in two strait games the Rays have had two game changing calls go against them, two crucial calls that should easily be re-viewable. 

The first call that went against the Rays came in Game 1, when the Rays managed to load the bases against the Rangers Cliff Lee, and with Carlos Pena up in the count two balls and one strike with one out a pitch that appeared to strike Pena was ruled a foul tip by first base umpire Jerry Meals. Pena struck out three pitches later and Rocco Bodelli was knocked down on strikes as well, ending the inning.

It appeared that as Lee got out of that jam, momentum had shifted to the Rangers and they never looked back, winning the game 5-1. The Rays never looked the same, falling to Lee time after time who only gave up

If Baseball had instant replay in situations like Pena's called foul tip, fans would not have to worry about the "What if" feeling in the loss.

Perhaps a more disheartening call that went in favor of the Rangers took place in the top of the 5th with the Rangers up 2-0 in Game Two with Chad Qualls on the mound. The Rangers had men on first and third with one out, with Michael Young up to bat. Qualls had the count at 2-2, when he clearly got Michael Young to go on a pitch, but was ruled a check swing by umpire Jim Wolfe. Like clockwork, Young hit a three run homer on Qualls next pitch sending Maddon out to argue and eventually being ejected. Rays fans to showed their disgust as they began chanting "Replay."

After falling down 5-0 after the check swing call, the Rays were all but out of it with the Rangers C.J. Wilson pitching a solid 6 innings giving up only two runs. Once again the Rays fans are left with the bitter feeling of being on the wrong end of a bad call for the second time in as many days. Major League Baseball refuses to catch up to other sports such as the NFL, NBA and even College Football with instant replay, causing controversial games like these.

The season is far too long for fans of any team to feel like they've been short ended on a bad call that could easily have been reviewed by officials. Baseball must do more with instant replay, If the fans can see the right call with replay on TV and in the stands, why can't umpires on the field?