Heading in to Sunday afternoon’s game with the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Cedar Rapids Kernels held a slim 1/2 game lead over QC for the top spot in the Midwest League’s Western Division for the second half of the season.
Each team scored once in the first inning and the Bandits scored in the top of the ninth to take a 2-1 lead. Jorge Polanco singled with one out in the Kernels’ ninth and Adam Brett Walker followed with a single to CF. The Bandits’ center fielder let the ball get by him for a two-base error, allowing Polanco to score the tying run and Walker to reach third base.
After a strike out, Joel Licon came to the plate with Walker on third base and the game tied 2-2. Which led to this:
Was it fair or was it foul? I’ll refrain from opining, but I will say this much: IF it was foul, it certainly wasn’t the first call this particular plate umpire blew in the game.
Kernels Manager Jake Mauer was ejected for pointing out a previous mistake by the same umpire, which is perhaps why it’s hitting coach and acting manager Tommy Watkins (8) congratulating Licon (2) in front of the dugout.
– JC
