The Lucky Strike

 Does this ball touch the ground?  Would instant replay have helped or just been inconclusive?  It just doesn't matter. 

So all the papers in Chicago on Wednesday after the Sox Game 1 loss to the Angels talked about how the fans lost interest after Garrett Anderson's homerun in the 2nd inning.  Not quite the case on Wednesday at the Cell.  This is the scenario (and if you don't understand the rule, don't ask me because I don't get it either):  A.J. Pierzynski is up to bat.  Score is 1-1 in the bottom of the 9th.  Two outs and two strikes.  Extra innings right? 

Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar throws a pitch that Pierzynski completely whiffs at, but catcher Josh Paul traps Escobar's 3-and-2 pitch.  AJ runs to first base after the ball had been tossed back to the pitchers mound by Paul.  Umpire Doug Eddings calls Pierzynski safe at first saying because the ball was trapped by Paul the ball was in play.  Angels manager Mike Scioscia runs out to yell at Eddings, but Pierzynski is ruled safe at first.  Pablo Ozuna comes in as a pinch runner and steals second.  Joe Crede comes up to bat and rips a double off the left field wall.  Game over.  2-1 White Sox.  Next stop:  Anaheim Friday night for Game 3. 

 Joe Crede is congatulated by Pierzynski at home after Crede's game winning double in the bottom of the 9th scored Pablo Ozuna who was pinch running for Pierzynski. 

Did the pitch hit the ground?  Does it really matter now?  All Angels catcher Josh Paul had to do was tag Pierzynski and that would have been the end of it.  He didn't, his fault.  Sox win. 

*More on the game later today and a Top 8 list of things said at the games that is just hilarious.  By the way, I saw the most disgusting thing in the history of the world on Wednesday afternoon.  Tell you all about it later*  GO SOX!!!