So, what's the baseline?
Brett Myers threw seven sharp innings against his former team, Charlie Manuel got thrown out of the game and the Astros took advantage of a controversial call to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 on Monday night.
The Phils lost for just the sixth time in their last 30 home games, cutting their wild-card lead to one game over St. Louis and the Giants.
Down 2-1, the Astros rallied in the eighth against Ryan Madson (4-2). Another pair of former Phillies got things started, helping Myers (9-7) win his first start against Philadelphia.
Pinch-hitter Jason Michaels led off the eighth with a single. Michael Bourn then reached on a drag bunt, barely avoiding Ryan Howard's diving tag. With a sellout crowd chanting "Charlie! Charlie!'' and second baseman Chase Utley pointing to the spot where Bourn appeared to step out of the baseline, Manuel got tossed by first-base umpire Greg Gibson. Utley, who rarely argues, then briefly exchanged words with Gibson.
After Angel Sanchez sacrificed the runners, Madson fanned Hunter Pence for the second out. But Carlos Lee lined a single to left to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.
"He went out of the baseline, but (Gibson) didn't see it that way,'' Manuel said.
Afterward, Manuel and some of his players were fuming that Bourn wasn't called out of the baseline. Making it worse, Gibson tossed Manuel from a game against Cleveland on June 24 for arguing a similar play the opposite way. Gibson called Shane Victorino out of the baseline as he dove into first base to avoid a tag.
When Gibson was asked for a comment by a pool reporter, crew chief Sam Holbrook said umpires are not allowed to talk per major league baseball's instructions. However, umpires have discussed controversial calls several times this season.
Howard said players have a difficult time understanding the baseline rule.
Rule 7.08 states: A runner's baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely.
"They have to come up with some kind of consistency for the rule,'' Howard said. "Everybody isn't sure. There's a lot of gray area. There is no understanding.''
Pitching in a steady drizzle, Myers gave up two runs and nine hits, striking out nine. Myers has pitched at least six innings in each of his 26 starts, tying Larry Dierker's franchise record. It's the longest streak to start a season since Curt Schilling had 35 straight in 2002. Myers, who was Philadelphia's opening-day starter the previous three seasons, is one of five former Phillies on Houston's roster. He received a warm reception from fans.
"How respectful they were to me in the bullpen shows that this city has a big heart for players who accomplished things for them,'' Myers said. "They showed me respect.''
Phillies starter Joe Blanton allowed one run and six hits in seven innings, striking out a season-high nine batters.
The Astros are the only NL team with a winning record against the Phillies since 2004, going 27-16.
