That Odd Play From The Astros Game

The Astros defeated the Dodgers in LA last night, but the big story was in how the game ended. The Dodgers were rallying in the 9th against the Astros bullpen (imagine that), and Dodger pinch hitter Mark Sweeney had just driven in a run to bring the score to 7-4, Astros. Brad Lidge is summoned from the bullpen and strikes out Rafael Furcal, and that's when things got weird.

MLB.com doesn't allow us to imbed the video of the end of the game, but you can watch it here, complete with Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully's dumbfounded reaction. The second batter that Lidge faced, Juan Pierre, popped up to catcher Brad Ausmus. Pretty routine play, setting up a two-out at-bat for Matt Kemp (who already had a home run in the game), but wait! Sweeney had run full-steam for second base, and wasn't headed back to first in any sort of hurry.

Rice-educated Lance Berkman realizes the predicament that Sweeney has placed himself in, and (in an uncharacteristically subtle moment for the Big Puma) begins to jump up and down and holler at Ausmus for the ball. Ausmus throws to Berkman, double play, end of game. The over two dozen Dodger fans still at the stadium who didn't leave to beat the traffic are left to wonder: what the hell was Sweeney thinking?

Our mates over at LAist are pondering the same thing, and as you might imagine, they're not too happy. Houstonist is just glad that Lidge didn't have to pitch to Kemp.