Stones to Face Quakers

Crazy game last night, going 13 innings after being tied at 6 runs after nine. All time saves leader Trevor Hoffman gives up a three run rally after the Priests had taken the lead in the top of the inning on Scott Hairston's 2 run dinger.

A pair of controversial calls had a big impact on the game. In the seventh, Stones 3B Garrett Atkins hit an apparent homer that was ruled a ground rule double. The replay I saw appeared to show it clear the wall, hit a wheelchair and bounce back into play, but the umpire crew believed it hit the top of the wall instead. The LF ump appeared to me to blow the play by being way out of position, being about only 10-15 behind third instead of out in the outfield where he belongs. And that, my friends, is why they have extra OF umps for playoff games in the first place.

On the game's final play, Stones MVP candidate Matt Holliday, who had earlier tied the game with a triple off Hoffman, scored on a shallow fly to right, but it wasn't clear that he touched the plate, being blocked by Priest C Michael Barret, but the homeplate ump ruled him safe after Barret dropped the throw.

Amazing topsy turvy affair all night long, and much superior in excitement to watching the New England Traitors demolish the Cincinnati Bungels on Monday Night Football. Stones travel to Philly to take on the Quakers, with Jeff Francis facing up against Quaker Cole Hamels and Mark Redman to follow the next day against former Spongecake Kyle Lohse.