Weird, wild win for Chicago, Pierzynski

CHICAGO -- A.J. Pierzynski found himself in the middle of another strange play, and once again the umpire involved was Doug Eddings.

This time, the chaos followed a rundown between second and third, not a third strike.

“Just a funny coincidence, I guess,” said Pierzynski, whose bizarre trip around the bases in the 10th inning Sunday capped a 6-5 win for the Chicago White Sox over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Eddings and Pierzynski were at the center of a disputed call in the 2005 AL Championship Series between the White Sox and the Angels. The latest ruckus came before Alexei Ramirez singled home the winning run Sunday, allowing the White Sox to avoid a three-game sweep and reclaim first place in the AL Central.

Pierzynski was on second with one out when Jermaine Dye sent a grounder toward shortstop. Pierzynski got caught in a rundown and appeared to get tagged out after falling -- but Eddings signaled safe. The second base umpire called interference on Rays third baseman Willy Aybar, ruling he bumped the runner after a throw toward second. Replays showed that Pierzynski initiated the contact.