O's Bats Come Alive, Umps Need a Refresher

Obviously it was great to get a win last night, though we very well could have knocked Bedard out in the first when he was still getting adjusted to being back on the mound. That being said, the team showed a lot of character after the blown call in the first which cost them a run, and with Guthrie having some health issue yet unknown to me (I read this morning he had flu-like symptoms and was woozy).

As Shelby and I sat and watched the first inning, we were both pretty sure that Reimold should have scored from 2nd when Gutierrez' throw to home bounced off the mound and went out of play. But, since Trembley's repeated arguments and the umps subsequent summit to discuss the play didn't change the outcome of the initial ruling, thankfully I have a copy of the MLB's Official rules. So, without consulting an attorney to interpret said rules, which IMHO are frequently ambiguous, I believe the Rule is 7.05(g) which states:

Each runner, including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance - two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field (how hilarious is this!) a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wore screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such a wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched, in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made.

Reimold was on the 3rd base side of 2nd base when the throw was made, and clearly should have scored. As Trembley was quoted in his post-game press conference, for the umpiring CREW to not know this rule or interpret it correctly is inexcusable, and they should be held accountable. Fortunately for the O's it didn't matter, but that's not the point. Whether Trembley's rant inspired the team I don't know, but I loved his comments after the game, defending his team and how hard they play on a daily basis. I trust that this team IS playing as hard as they can if the manager demands that, whether it always looks like that or not. Maybe that's just me drinking the cool-aid…. The team and Trembley need to have a chip on their shoulder though, and maybe this will become more evident as the season progresses. Winning games is the only way to convince other teams (and me) that we are constantly improving and to gain respect around the league, but I am hopeful that this game proves to be just the tonic the O's need to continue developing. Facing Felix today is no small task, but if we get a good start from Hernandez and Luke Scott has another 7 RBI's, we just may be able to win a series on the road. Go O's!

Edit- Looks like it's Vargas on the mound for the M's today. Although I am tired of facing lefties, this is still far better than facing Felix. Go O's!