Houston – An hour after the game, the Minute Maid Park roof opened, presumably to let the city of Houston exhale.
The Astros sit one victory from their first World Series courtesy of a ninth inning that bordered on Disney. Those three outs were so October, a collision of timing and brilliance.
And yet, the game was tainted. A “Star Wars” victory was overshadowed by the latest version of “The Umpire Strikes Back.” When all talk today should be about Eric Bruntlett’s double- play flip, Phil Cuzzi will wander into the conversation as America’s unwanted guest, shoving Doug Eddings back to the green room.
Cuzzi’s inconsistent strike zone triggered arguments and ultimately the ejections of Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and center fielder Jim Edmonds.
Of course, Cuzzi was unavailable for comment, a lack of accountability unsettling for such an important figure. (At least Eddings talked to the media after his failure to make the distinction between a strike call and an out led to the controversial finish in Game 2 of the ALCS.)
To the Cardinals’ credit, they didn’t blame Cuzzi, knowing it would sound like a fine whine. And they were right, given the number of scoring opportunities squandered.
La Russa went nuts in the dugout before getting tossed in the seventh, and lip readers can make a compelling case he earned the thumb. But Edmonds’ exit highlighted Cuzzi’s sloppy afternoon.
Normally, there is latitude given in ball-strike discussions. Edmonds was told he had “crossed the line” with his first question. Restraint should rule in situations like this, within reason and colorful verb boundaries, since no fan has ever paid to see an umpire.
Even more disturbing, Edmonds said Cuzzi used profanity.
The same Cuzzi who allowed crew chief Tim McClelland to act as his bodyguard during both brush-ups. Cuzzi’s performance is a reminder the best umpires go unnoticed.
“He used four-letter words that I don’t let my kids say at home,” Edmonds said. “But (the ejections) were not why we lost this game.”
Keep it clean
Injured third baseman Abraham Nuñez did not start Sunday, a concession to his injured left quadriceps. John Mabry replaced him. Nuñez was hurt when Jason Lane slid into him Saturday.
The Cardinals labeled it a clean play, with Larry Walker blaming himself for the collision, saying, “If I make a good throw, (Nuñez) doesn’t get hit.”
Footnotes
Fox Sports continues negotiating to add Rockies director of pro scouting Jerry Dipoto to its broadcast team. Dipoto’s role, which would likely involve splitting games with analyst George Frazier, has not been ironed out. …
Nolan Ryan was a visitor in the Astros’ clubhouse following Sunday’s victory, insisting “it definitely feels like this is Houston’s year.” …
The Devil Rays and Marlins have stepped up their pursuit of former Rockie Joe Girardi to fill their managerial vacancies. Girardi, the Yankees’ bench coach, made a classy gesture to Shawn Chacon, giving him the lineup card and a game-used ball from his successful Yankees playoff debut. …
Rockies’ Single-A manager Joe Mikulik has emerged as a candidate for the Seattle Mariners’ field coordinator position. …
Rangers GM Jon Daniels is expected to discuss his team’s assistant GM vacancy with the Rockies’ Thad Levine this week. Boston’s Peter Woodfork interviewed Friday.
