PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates president Frank Coonelly issued a statement on Wednesday, a day after his team’s 4-3 loss to the Braves in Atlanta that included a highly controversial call in the 19th inning.
In doing so, Coonelly and the Pirates filed a formal complaint with the commissioner’s office over umpire Jerry Meals’ call that ended the game at Turner Field.
“The Pittsburgh Pirates organization is extremely disappointed by the way its 19-inning game against the Atlanta Braves ended earlier this morning. The game of baseball and this game in particular, filled with superlative performances by players on both clubs, deserved much better. We have filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner.
“While we cannot begin to understand how umpire Jerry Meals did not see the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate, we do not question the integrity of Mr. Meals. Instead, we know that Mr. Meals’ intention was to get the call right. Jerry Meals has been umpiring Major League games for 14 years and has always done so with integrity and professionalism. He got this one wrong.”
