Latest Unusual Play Helps Dodgers Pick Up Victory

For the second time in three nights, the Los Angeles Dodgers were left standing perplexed at home plate when an umpire made a rare call that ended the game.

This time, things went their way.

It all involved an obscure rule that was violated by Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Angelo Encarnacion. The 22-year-old rookie was caught touching a live ball with his mask on Saturday night, and his innocent mistake in the 11th inning caused a runner to be waved home, giving the Dodgers an 11-10 victory.

The odd play came two days after Los Angeles lost when umpires forfeited a game to St. Louis in the last of the ninth inning when fans threw souvenir baseballs onto the Dodger Stadium field.

“We lose one on a forfeit and then we get one on a really technical rule,” said Mitch Webster, who was batting when the bizarre incident transpired. “A guy could probably play this game for 50 years and never see it twice.”

Actually, Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda has.

The same technicality that benefited his team Saturday night turned against him in 1992 when Mike Scioscia went down to block a pitch in the dirt and clamped his mask over the ball to keep it from rolling in a game against San Diego.

It also happened to Detroit catcher Mike Heath in 1987 when California manager Gene Mauch pointed out the unusual infraction.

Encarnacion fell into the same trap Saturday, with the score tied, runners on second and third and one out.

Webster swung at a 1-0 pitch in the dirt. The ball did not look like it was going to roll away, and Encarnacion used his mask to scoop it up.

He violated a baseball rule which states: “Two bases if a fielder deliberately touches a thrown ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play.”

Plate umpire Brian Gorman made no indication of any impropriety. But Lasorda came charging out of the dugout, and third base umpire and crew chief Harry Wendelstedt was called in for consultation.

Roberto Kelly was eventually awarded home plate.