Russell Lets Tag Controversy Slide

Manager Bill Russell said he told the team not to criticize umpire Gary Darling’s controversial ninth-inning call at home plate in Friday night’s 2-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Russell and third baseman Tim Wallach were ejected after Darling called Cardinal pinch-runner Miguel Mejia safe on Danny Sheaffer’s sacrifice bunt. Catcher Mike Piazza had the plate blocked and caught the ball an instant before Mejia, who was trying to score from second, reached the plate. But Darling ruled that Piazza never tagged Mejia.

However, it appeared from video replays that Mejia was out.

Russell said the Dodgers won’t file a protest because it was a judgment call.

“You can’t protest,” Russell said. “The only time you can protest is if they don’t interpret the rule right. It was a judgment call.”

Darling, who was working third base Saturday night, was booed when he was introduced before the game.

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Cardinal starter Todd Stottlemyre, who was knocked out of Friday night’s game with a bruised lower right leg when Todd Hollandsworth drilled a liner that hit him in the right thigh just above the knee cap with one out in the sixth inning, said he hopes to make his next scheduled start.

Stottlemyre was taken to Centinela Hospital Medical Center for X-rays, which were negative.

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Infielder Juan Castro, sidelined because of a strained lower back, said he was fit to return after taking batting practice for the first time in a week before Saturday night’s game.