Lopez Great With A 4-2 Count
By Blake VandeBunte • Sep 5th, 2008 • Category: 2008 seasonI missed yesterday’s game because I was at work but read this little interesting bit in the Los Angeles Times this morning. Aquilino Lopez, on for Kenny Rogers, struck out Sean Rodriguez of the Angels on a 4-2 count:
Sean Rodriguez is capable of working deep counts, but the rookie second baseman isn’t much of a four-ball hitter. In the fourth inning Thursday, Rodriguez struck out on what the scoreboard said was a full-count pitch. But a pitch-by-pitch replay of the at-bat confirmed that Rodriguez actually struck out on a 4-and-2 pitch. Neither plate umpire Tim Welke nor Angels Manager Mike Scioscia noticed the mistake. At 2-2, Rodriguez said Welke asked Tigers catcher Brandon Inge what the count was. “He said he thought it was 1-2, and I said I thought it was 1-2 also,” Rodriguez said. “He thanked me for my honesty.” Welke had the scoreboard reset to 1-2, and instead of drawing a walk, Rodriguez struck out. “That’s a new trick of ours,” Detroit Manager Jim Leyland said. Welke apologized to Rodriguez during his next at-bat.
It seems like there’s at least a couple of these stories every season. A couple of times a year a batter will work a three ball walk or something like that. Funny stuff. Brandon Inge is crafty.
Share
Blake VandeBunte is a posting fiend.
Email this author | All posts by Blake VandeBunte