Nats 3 Braves 2

What this game needed was an NFL referee or, better yet, a French Open linesman. With the score 2-1 Nats in the seventh, Jordan hit a ball down the left field line that appeared to hit the black part of the foul pole at RFK. Initially ruled a home run, the umps were evidently persuaded by ornery old Frank Robinson to change the call to a foul ball, resulting in a predictable tirade by ornery old Bobby Cox in which, miraculously, Cox did not get tossed.

Here's the thing, though -- the original call was correct. The ball unquestionably hit off the dark pole. I'm glad the umps are doing a better job of convening on tough calls, but some version of the NFL replay rule should apply here -- if you're not absolutely sure the original call was wrong, the call should stand. I believe they went with a "preponderance of evidence" test, which evidently took into consideration the REACTIONS OF THE FANS. I can't prove that, of course, but I can't imagine what other conflicting evidence they could have had.

Why the French Open linesman? It's simple, really -- if you're not sure of a call, just go look at the spot. Just as a tennis ball leaves a mark on clay, there was a mark on the pole where the ball hit. How difficult would that have been? Why, those umps would have been praised from coast to coast for their diligence in getting the call right.

Ah well. Davies gave up his first run in 14 innings, just missing the team record to start a career, held by Larry McWilliams. Can anyone tell Brave-O-Matic the other claim to fame of the redoubtable McWilliams (answer below)?







A: It was McWilliams and Gene Garber who stopped Pete Rose's 44-game hitting streak.