Phils vs. Nationals, 8/15, In-Game Blog

Well, the Nationals got two runs in the second that absolutely should not have been, since 1) first-base ump Marvin Hudson absolutely whiffed on a call that should have completed a double play off Austin Kearns' bat, and 2) Ryan Howard had the Mother of All Brain Cramps on a routine grounder. Kendrick covered first, was waiting for the flip ... and Howard just didn't give it to him.

Of course, the official scorer somehow thought Brian Schneider should get a base hit on that play, which is as WRONG as you could get. Because Howard's failure to make a routine flip so clearly cost an out, he could be (and should be) charged with an error. HOWEVER, even if this scorer wants to treat this like Little League and not give out an error, it should be a fielder's choice. It sure as heck isn't a hit.

You might notice as the posts pile up that I'm not a big fan of the level of scoring in the big leagues these days.

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Well, it didn't take long for another writer to earn a virtual smackdown in this space.
We just entered the top of the sixth with the Nats leading, 2-1, when Bucks County Courier Times backup writer Kevin Cooney declared, "This game is flying along."
We are all prepared for 20 innings now. Way to go, slick.