At Cincinnati, the Astros and Reds play the 1st inning with non-regulation baseballs, the result of a mix-up by an attendant in the umpires’ locker room. The attendant did not notice the word “practice” stenciled on the 144 balls he rubbed up for the game; the practice balls generally have defects such as irregular stitching or weight deviations. Astros pitcher Wade Miller notices the practice ball when warming up and informs ump Mark Hirschbeck, who rules that the practice balls must be used in the bottom of the 1st before switching. The Astros win in the 10th, 6 – 5. Austin Kearns has four hits, and Adam Dunn a homer for the Reds. Lance Berkmandrives in five for Houston.
On July 2, 2002 At Cincinnati, the Astros and Reds play the 1st inning with non-regulation baseballs, the result of a mix-up by an attendant in the umpires’ locker room. The attendant did not notice the word “practice” stenciled on the 144 balls he rubbed up for the game; the practice balls generally have defects such as irregular stitching or weight deviations. Astros pitcher Wade Miller notices the practice ball when warming up and informs ump Mark Hirschbeck, who rules that the practice balls must be used in the bottom of the 1st before switching. The Astros win in the 10th, 6 – 5. Austin Kearns has four hits, and Adam Dunn a homer for the Reds. Lance Berkmandrives in five for Houston.