BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Dispute at First: Umpires Change Call

A bizarre occurrence in the bottom of the seventh inning of Monday’s Angel-Blue Jay game typified the controversial first--and only--week of the season with replacement umpires.

Joe Carter grounded to third baseman Eduardo Perez, whose low throw was bobbled by first baseman J.T. Snow. Carter crossed the bag as Snow cradled the ball between his elbow and ribs.

First base umpire Larry Walding, screened on the play, made no call, asking for help from plate umpire Randy Harvey. After a short discussion, Carter was ruled out.

Toronto Manager Cito Gaston argued and was ejected. He continued to stalk the umpires, who changed the call and ruled Carter safe. So, in effect, Gaston won an argument in a game he wasn’t in.

As Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann came out to argue the reversal, Blue Jay publicists begin passing out news releases on the five-year agreement between the regular umpires and major league baseball.

“They got the play right--we did juggle the ball,” Lachemann said. “If I thought the guy was out, I would have argued and got tossed too.”

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The Angels’ victory marked the first time the Blue Jays had been shut out since last July 27 and the first time the Angels had shut out the Blue Jays in Toronto since July 18, 1989. . . . Lee Smith gave up a two-out single to John Olerud and a walk to Roberto Alomar in the ninth but got Shawn Green to ground out to end the game.