[DIV2ump]

Dragons batters object to strike zone in 1-0 loss
Mosby was called out to end the game on a pitch that should have been ball four.
By Marc Katz

Staff Writer

DAYTON | None of the Dayton Dragons would say so, but it was apparent most of them would rather see the Class A Midwest League umpires back picketing outside Fifth Third Field rather than working inside, especially behind home plate.

It was the second time in two weeks Mosby was called out on a pitch he wouldn't have been able to reach had he swung, and he slammed his helmet to the ground, earning the Dragons' second ejection of the game — even though the game was over.

In the seventh inning, third baseman Eric Eymann also was ejected after a way-outside third-strike call.

"You're terrible," Eymann said he told Alper, who apparently didn't want anybody in the game who felt that way.

"The best thing to say is it was a good game," said Dragons manager Billy Gardner Jr., who was very pleased with Zach Ward's eight innings of two-hit pitching. "We had some pitches go against us. It happens sometimes."

All minor-league umpires went on strike over wages and benefits at the beginning of the season and didn't ratify a new contract and report back to work until June 12. Up until that time, teams had to hire local amateur umpires.

While the amateurs lacked consistency, the pro umpires have been drawing the wrath of players nearly every game, especially at home plate.

Bad calls or not, the Dragons could not muster a run.

Double plays in the second and fourth innings wiped out opportunities, and Adam Rosales' triple to begin the ninth — after South Bend scored in the top of the inning — went wasted. Jay Bruce and B.J. Szymanski both struck out swinging on 3-2 pitches before Mosby, also on a 3-2 count, was wide-angled.