Replacement umps not making the right calls

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sport...gonsnotes.html

By Marc Katz

Staff Writer

DAYTON | Replacement umpires for striking minor league umpires are starting to make some big mistakes.

During Wednesday's Dayton-Peoria game, a base umpire — nameless by minor league decree — made two blunders, ending in one manager being tossed and the other nearly so.

In the fifth inning, Dayton's Craig Tatum was ruled safe at first when Peoria center fielder Matt Ciaramella caught his long fly ball, took two steps, then dropped the ball.

The base umpire ruled no catch, and Peoria manager Jody Davis was eventually tossed for arguing.

Three innings later, Dayton manager Billy Gardner Jr. nearly joined Davis when Paul Janish was called out on a not-so-close play at first base.

Both calls were important. Tatum eventually scored, and if Janish had been correctly called safe, the Dragons would have had two on with no outs. They didn't score in the inning during a 6-4 loss.

• Most of the Cincinnati Reds probably went to their own homes when they returned from a road trip Wednesday after a day game in Washington.

Not relief pitcher Todd Coffey, who pitched parts of two seasons (2002, 2003) with the Dragons. He drove to Fifth Third Field, arriving about 10:30 p.m. to visit with several roving instructors and Dragons employees he knew.

• Homer Bailey pitched six hitless innings for the "high" Class A Sarasota Reds on Thursday as his team nearly no-hit the Lakeland (Tigers).

Bailey and another former Dragon, Brock Till, allowed no hits through eight with Till getting the 2-0 victory when the Reds scored twice in the eighth. Carlos Alvarado gave up a bunt single with one out in the ninth.

Bailey, the parent Cincinnati Reds' top prospect, struck out nine and walked two, lowering his ERA to 3.08 before nearing his 90-pitch count limit.

• A couple of roster moves are nearing as third baseman J.D. Reininger is about to come off the temporary inactive list and pitcher Philippe Valiquette can come off the disabled list Sunday.