Umpires have another rough night in playoffs

Sporting News staff reports Major league umpires added to their collection of postseason slipups tonight, missing three calls in a two-inning span of Game 4 of the ALCS. Two of the calls went in the New York Yankees' favor, the other in the Los Angeles Angels' favor. One of the culprits was crew chief Tim McClelland, who generally is considered one of the best, if not the best, ump in the game. He incorrectly ruled Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher left third base early on a tag-up in the fourth inning, then failed to call out Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano on a rundown play in the fifth. On the latter play, Cano was trailing Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who had gotten hung up between third and home. As Posada reached third, Cano was standing a step or two away from the third-base bag. Angels catcher Mike Napoli tagged Cano, then tagged Posada, who had overrun the bag. McClelland ruled Posada out but Cano safe. The matter became academic when the ...