Well we can add Larry Vanover to our list of umpires who don't belong in MLB. That list now has two names, the first being Jeff Nelson.
With a man on second and one out in the top of the 5th, and the Nationals leading 1-0, Guzman hit a sharp ground ball to A-Rod. Mr. Rod stabbed it and fired to first. Safe. Replays indicated that Guzman was clearly out. With men on first and third and 1 out, Nick Johnson then got a fly ball to elude Melky Cabrera and two runs scored. It's safe to say that Vanover's mistake changed the course of the game and put an early end to Wang's excellent start. Wang got out of the man-on-third-one-out jam with no further damage, but was not brought back for the 6th despite having thrown just 91 pitches. Had he pitched one more inning, it would have allowed him to try for a "quality start" (6 innings, 3 runs or less), but Girardi would have none of it.
Vanover's mistake cost the Yankees, and Wang, who lost 3-2. Umpires are taught to listen for the ball hitting the glove and the foot touching the bag. It's rare to see an umpire fail in this way. Close plays at first are so vital a skill that umpires train for years and years to master it. There are literally thousands of umpires working games at high levels around the country, including high school, college, and in the minor leagues. Out of that massive pool of well trained, experienced umpires there are less than 100 who are deemed skilled enough to officiate in major league baseball. Vanover's mistake shows he does not belong, and unless he apologizes, he should be demoted.
Like I said, Wang was fine. (video here) A solo shot on a 3-0 count to Adam Dunn was the only other run in what was an otherwise stellar performance and proof that Wang should remain in the rotation and be allowed to pitch deeper in the game next time. See you in 5 days, Tiger.
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