Fifth-inning update: The Fox crew can’t seem to get over the fact that third-base umpire Tim McClelland’s call cost the Yankees a run in the fourth inning upon appeal by the Angels.
The appeal at third (Getty Images)
McClelland called Nick Swisher out for leaving early on Johnny Damon’s flyball. Replays indicate McClelland was wrong.
It was the second incorrect call of the inning, however. Joe Buck and Tim McCarver somehow forgot Swisher had clearly been picked off second by Scott Kazmir and Erick Aybar, only for second-base umpire Dale Scott to get picked off, as well.
Let’s see, if Swisher is out at second, the Angels can’t make the third out when he leaves third. Short-term memory is a tough thing to lose.
Kazmir was done after Mark Teixeira’s leadoff hit in the fifth. An inning earlier, Fox reporter Ken Rosenthal had adroitly pointed out “the only reason Kazmir was available was is because he is erratic.”
All this will be moot, however, if the Angels can’t find a way to solve CC Sabathia. Right now, there is every indication Kazmir could’ve pitched great and lost, 1-0.
And now McClelland misses an obvious double play at third base, with Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada both off the bag when tagged by Mike Napoli.
So many umpires, so many mistakes.
