The Philadelphia Phillies were 2.5 games out of first place coming into last nights game against the Houston Astros. Last nights game was a fight to the finish, in which the Phillies lost in the 16th inning. The outcome of the game may have been different though had Ryan Howard not been ejected in the 14th inning by Umpire Scott Barry for arguing a check swing strikeout call.

The game clearly went longer than either manager had wished for, but the Phillies found themselves in a peculiar situation in the 14th inning after Howard was ejected by Barry. Since they didn’t have any other first basemen to use, having used up all their pinch hitters, they were forced to move Raul Ibanez to first base, and bring pitcher Roy Oswald into left field. The ejection of Howard was harmful in two ways for the Phillies. Raul Ibanez, playing first base, bobbled a potential double play ball. Also Roy Oswald ended up being the final out of the game, as he was forced to bat in place of Ryan Howard. The Game ended with a Astros win, 4-2.