All Things Bubba

Cincinnati Reds' Paul Janish is called out at home plate in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 29, 2011 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Paul Janish has really had some rotten luck lately. He hit the ball hard a couple of times Friday, but right at the fielders. He came away 0 for 4 (with a sac bunt RBI). Yesterday, he was 2 for 3 against a tough righty. But he was picked off first after his first hit. His second hit might have been a double; he almost went for it, then changed his mind and went back to first. Perhaps he should have gone for it. He ended up called out at home, in what would prove a game-changing play.

He probably shouldn't have been sent. But he was, and he did a great job of avoiding the tag and sliding around the catcher to touch the plate. Alas, the umpire made the wrong call. (And it was the wrong call, as numerous replays showed.) The usually mellow Janish was hot over that call. He knew he was safe. Dusty Baker was irate as well.

ESPN named left fielder Martin Prado Player of the Game, in part for gunning down Janish. Hah. The home plate umpire should be POTG, not Prado.

Labels: Paul Janish