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Inside-the-park homer paces Cubs

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From the Associated Press

HOUSTON -- Geovany Soto was credited with an inside-the-park three-run home run in the fourth inning despite replays showing that it should have been an automatic home run in Chicago’s 7-2 victory over Houston on Monday night.

The ball bounced just to the right of the yellow line on the wall in left-center field.

“It was a home run, but I think he’d probably rather have the inside-the-park home run anyway,” Cubs Manager Lou Piniella said.

Astros center fielder Michael Bourn scooped up the ball and threw it home, but Soto scored easily before the throw got there.

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“Never in my whole life had I had an inside-the-park home run,” Soto said. “I didn’t think it was out. It’s so big, that left-center area, I didn’t think I hit it over it. I thought double, maybe triple if they misplayed it.”

Third base umpire Ed Rapuano defended his call. “The ball hit the yellow line that designates home run, no home run,” he said.

It was the second consecutive night that major league umpires botched a home run call. New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado was robbed of a three-run homer Sunday night.

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