So Shitty On So Many Levels

You know how they say to never send a letter when you're really, really pissed off? That's kind of how this is.

I had originally thought to write a piece titled "That Fucking Sucked", but decided to heed the old advice, watch my words, sleep on it, and see if I don't feel any better about things in the morning.

So I'm gonna try and bite my tongue for the most part, but that said, let me just say three things about what we just witnessed there in the ninth inning.

1. What in the hell happened to Doug Eddings' strike zone? He punches out Kaz Matsui on a ball at his eyes to end the top of the 9th, then he puts the squeeze on Heilman throughout the bottom half? Was it payback for Julio Franco's jawing in the dugout? Was it because Aaron Heilman isn't John Smoltz?

As Gary, Keith, and Ron noted after every absurd strike was called, Eddings' zone was wide all night, but it had been consistent. That all changed in the bottom of the 9th.

I hate to blame the umps, and I'm not going to blame the umps because in spite of everything, Heilman should have gotten out of that inning. But it was pretty damn frustrating nonetheless.

2. I really, really hated the decision to throw that pitch in to Jimmy Rollins. You're up 0-2 in the count. The umpire theoretically has a wide strike zone, you've gotta pound the outside corner there. See if Rollins chases one. See if Eddings "Eddingses" one. But don't come inside. Really.

3. I really wanted to win that one. As the Hound said just now, it's not the same sting you feel when you blow a big lead. Point taken, but there is the sting of missed opportunity, and we sure did blow a lot of momentum.

But OK. I said I would sleep on it. Until tomorrow.

- A.F.O.M.G.