Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin argues with home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg as a Diamondbacks home run is changed to a book rule double after a fan reached out and caught the ball in fair territory in the second inning at PNC Park, June 9, 2008.
Andrew McDonald, a Pirates fan from Munhall, did more than just root for the home team Monday afternoon at PNC Park.
He played a little defense, too.
With one out in the second inning, Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks hit a high, deep fly ball. Right fielder Xavier Nady gave chase, then turned to either play the bounce off the wall or watch it sail out of the park.
McDonald, sitting in the front row of Section 144, brought his mitt to the game. As the ball zoomed toward him. McDonald stood up, reached out and caught it on the fly.
"A nice catch," Pirates third baseman Jose Bautista said.
Fans in the ballpark applauded McDonald's catch, then groaned as Reynolds rounded the bases for a home run.
Still, it was a nice play by McDonald, 17, who was an outfielder for the Steel Valley High School baseball team.
"I'm stunned," McDonald said. "When I saw it coming, I had to push my friend out of the way to catch it."
But, wait ... had the ball cleared the railing atop the Clemente Wall when McDonald made the catch?
Instant replay is not used in major league baseball. However, video replays appeared to show McDonald snagged the ball just below the railing.
Pirates manager John Russell came onto the field and argued that point. The four umpires huddled for a minute or two to talk it over.
The verdict: no home run.
"It was a tough call, but they got it right," Russell said.
Reynolds, who by now was in the dugout, was awarded a double and sent back to second base. That set off Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, who bolted out to angrily protest the call.
Melvin used one of those magic words you should never yell at an umpire, and was ejected by home plate ump Jeff Kellogg.
Worse yet for Arizona, Pirates pitcher Zach Duke got the final two outs of the inning and Reynolds was stranded at second base.
"Duke should thank me for that," McDonald said, laughing.
However, McDonald believes the umps blew the call.
"I honestly think it was a home run," he said. "I'll have to go home and look at the replay."
Reynolds got his revenge in his next at-bat. With two outs in the fourth, Reynolds blasted a solo homer -- this time, undisputed -- over the center-field wall.
By Rob Biertempfel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
