Apparently, the call was not protested, as it was probably a judgement call, and therefore unable to be protested. However, the call still stands as a complete joke. After the game, Doug Eddings (the umpire) stated that he followed Josh Paul out to see what he would do with the ball (instead of seeing if A.J. Pierzynski was safe at first which is what he should do). He also states that he was consistent in his calls throughout the game. However, here we have him trapped.

Earlier in the game, Bengie Molina struck out swinging and the ball bounced on the ground. Eddings signaled that no contact was made - as he did with any other pitch swung on and missed. Fine. That's consistent. However, he then waited for Pierzynski to tag Molina before making the fist which (apparently) signaled both a strike and an out. So when Pierzynski swung and struck out in the bottom of the ninth and Eddings didn't wait for Molina to tag Pierzynski out, but still made the fist, he signaled both a strike and an out. However, he now claims that it wasn't an out.

Which is it Eddings? Can't quite make up your mind? That's right...you're wrong. But the Angels still blew the game - both runs were unearned. They couldn't drive runners in when they were in scoring position. Escobar left an 0-2 pitch over the heart of the plate which drove in the pinch runner. While the umpire is to blame as the game should have clearly gone into the 10th inning. Who knows if the Angels with their anemic offense could have scored and won the game.

All I know is that the Angels will still win it. They've got 3 in Anaheim now. Sweep and go to the World Series. Let's just get it over with and thank God that the horrific umpire known as Doug Eddings won't be in Anaheim this weekend.

URL: ESPN.com - MLB - Recap - Angels at White Sox