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

PROTESTING GAMES. Each league shall adopt rules governing procedure for protesting a game, when a manager claims that an umpire's decision is in violation of these rules. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision of the League President shall be final. Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the League President the violation adversely affected the protesting team's chances of winning the game. Whenever a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication of the rules the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next pitch is made or a runner is retired. A protest arising on a game ending play may be filed until 12 noon the following day with the League Office.

You can be sure Mike Scioscia protested the call while on the field. You can be sure that the League President will review the call. But I am fairly certain nothing will be done about it. This game has too much weight. If it were a meaningless game, maybe the protest goes through. But it's Game 2 of an ALCS. It ties the series at 1-1 and prolongs the series, giving baseball what they want - a possible game 6 & 7. An Angels sweep hurts the ratings. Games 6 & 7 are gold for the league. They won't reverse the call. But at least we have a chance. And if this doesn't fire up the Angels even more, I'm not sure what will.

URL: Major League Baseball : Official Info : Official Rules

What complete and utter bullshit that call was. Ends up costing the Angels the game and in the end, maybe the series. One of the worst calls I've seen in a long time. I can understand if you get a call wrong where a player is tagged out. Or a call where a player is safe at the base. But making a stupid call like that to prolong the inning? Without any help from the other umpires? Bullshit. That's the only word that fits.

You can bet that call will be protested. However, you can also bet Bud Selig will do nothing about it. Like he does about everything else.

URL: Los Angeles Angels Clubhouse

Holy crap that game was stressful. Being so close through the whole game, any mistake could have cost the Angels the win. Any running error would be magnified ten-fold. And so when the Sox were caught stealing twice, their chances diminished. When they were unable to sacrifice runners over twice, they had even less chance. When you have to face the vaunted Angels bullpen after a magnificent start by Byrd, you've got no chance. But they gave it their all...and made it too damn stressful.

Scioscia was 0-5 in game 1's. Now he's 1-5. Good or bad? Don't know yet. In 2002, they lost the first game of every series, but they also lost the first game last year and made it nowhere, however, they did lose the first game this year and beat the Yankees. Probably doesn't matter. I'll gladly take the game one win IN Chicago. Home field advantage now belongs to the Angels - though the Sox did have the best record in the majors this year on the road. It's shaping up to be a great series - I just hope every game from here on out isn't as stressful as this one.

URL: Los Angeles Angels Clubhouse

What a great game last night. Overcoming the obstacles of your likely Cy Young winner only going one inning and leaving with a sore shoulder. Your scheduled starter the night before coming down with strep throat and not being able to pitch for a while. Your three best hitters in a slum. The opponent having a $203 million payroll. The opponent being able to replace a 224 game winner in the third inning with a 263 game winner. The list goes on.

But these Angels did it. They found a way to win in game five. They now fly to Chicago for game 1 tonight (what horrible scheduling by Bud Selig). Hopefully they'll be able to put together a hodge-podge pitching lineup and sweep the White Sox like they did earlier this year. We'll just have to wait and see. Either way, these playoffs have been infinitely more exciting than last year's, but we have a long way to go before we start to rival 2002.

URL: ESPN.com - MLB/PLAYOFFS2005 - Caple: Feels so good