Leyland says umpire admits he missed call in Tigers loss

Last Updated: June 27. 2010 3:52PM
Leyland says umpire admits he missed call in Tigers loss
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Atlanta --The Tigers were struggling Sunday morning to let go of the controversial 4-3 loss to the Braves Saturday.

They knew that they didn't hit well enough (three hits, one a bunt single) to win most games. They knew they shot themselves in the foot by walking too many batters. Yet, they also knew they had the game tied in the ninth inning except for a blown call by umpire Gary Cederstrom on a 3-2 pitch to Johnny Damon.

"Yeah, that definitely kept me up last night," Damon said. "You feel like you did everything right and actually you did everything so wrong."

Manager Jim Leyland called Cederstrom after the game.

"You can't complain about yesterday's breakfast," Leyland said. "But I called him after the game and I just said, 'I hope you take a look at the pitch.' He said, 'Well, I kicked it.' I knew that when it happened but watching the replay on television, it was brutal.

"It's not acceptable, especially in that situation. It's just not acceptable."

Said Damon, "Every single game is so important and that's why yesterday's game didn't just affect us. It affected five other teams, in the N.L. Central and A.L. East. We know our division is going to come to the wire, and that's why a game like that is so tough."

Leyland has altered the lineup a bit for Sunday. Brandon Inge will get a rest. He will be replaced by Don Kelly at third base.

Damon will bat third and Gerald Laird will catch.

Leyland said that he will give Ramon Santiago and Carlos Guillen the day off Monday in Minnesota. Danny Worth will play shortstop and Ryan Raburn second base against Twins lefty Francisco Liriano.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100627/SPORTS0104/6270317/Leyland-says-umpire-admits-he-missed-call-in-Tigers-loss#ixzz0s60XgN72