“While we cannot begin to understand how umpire Jerry Meals did not see the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate, we do not question the integrity of Mr. Meals. Instead, we know that Mr. Meals’ intention was to get the call right. Jerry Meals has been umpiring Major League games for 14 years and has always done so with integrity and professionalism. He got this one wrong.” – FRANK COONELLY,president of the Pirates. At approximately 2:30 a.m. ET, the Pirates filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner’s Office expressing their extreme disappointment by the way its 19-inning game against the Braves ended earlier this morning. The statement shares the organization’s dismay of umpire Jerry Meals not seeing the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate that resulted in Atlanta’s 4-3 victory at Turner Field.

The Pirates, at approximately 2:30 am, file a formal complaint with the Commissioner’s Office expressing their extreme disappointment by the way its 19-inning game against the Braves ended earlier this morning. The statement shares the organization’s dismay of umpire Jerry Meals not seeing the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate that resulted in Atlanta’s 4-3 victory at Turner Field. “While we cannot begin to understand how umpire Jerry Meals did not see the tag made by Michael McKenry three feet in front of home plate, we do not question the integrity of Mr. Meals. Instead, we know that Mr. Meals’ intention was to get the call right. Jerry Meals has been umpiring Major League games for 14 years and has always done so with integrity and professionalism. He got this one wrong.” – FRANK COONELLY,president of the Pirates.

For the second straight season, the Cardinals trade a starting outfielder near the trading deadline in an effort to secure more pitching when they trade center fielder Colby Rasmus, along with relievers Trever Miller and Brian Tallet, to the Blue Jays in exchange for Edwin Jackson (acquired from the White Sox a few hours earlier) and relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski. Last year, the Redbirds dealt right fielder Ryan Ludwick to San Diego in a three-team deal that brought Indian starter Jake Westbrook to St. Louis.

The Giants get one of the top players available at the trading deadline, Mets All-Star CF Carlos Beltran, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. The Giants send top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to New York, but the Mets will be responsible for a significant portion of Beltran’s remaining salary.

The Seattle Mariners end a 17-game losing streak by beating the New York Yankees at New Yankee Stadium, 9 – 2. Ichiro Suzuki and Mike Carp collect 4 hits, and Dustin Ackley 3, part of a 17-hit attack in support of Felix Hernandez, who defeats Phil Hughes. The M’s last win had come on July 5th.

The Toronto Blue Jays make a couple of deals with the trading deadline fast approaching. First, they send Ps Jason Frasor and Zach Stewart to the Chicago White Sox for P Edwin Jackson and 3B Mark Teahen, then they immediately flip Jackson to St. Louis, along with Ps Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski and OF Corey Patterson, in return for OF Colby Rasmus and Ps Brian Tallet, Trever Miller and P.J. Walters. Jackson, still only 27, has already been part of 7 different organizations.