White Sox even series with 2-1 win on unusual finish

CHICAGO -- The ninth inning was over.

And then it wasn't.

And then Joe Crede gave the White Sox what is sure to go down as one of the most disputed victories in playoff history.

Given a second chance when plate umpire Doug Eddings called strike three -- but not the third out -- Chicago beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 Wednesday night to even the best-of-seven AL Championship Series at a game apiece.

In a sequence as bizarre as any imaginable on a baseball field, A.J. Pierzynski struck out swinging against Angels reliever Kelvim Escobar, appearing to end the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied at 1-1.

Escobar's low pitch was gloved by backup catcher Josh Paul -- he appeared to grab it just before the ball would have hit the dirt. And behind him, Eddings clearly raised his right arm and closed his first, signaling strike three.

Pierzynski hustled and took off for first base anyway, just in case. Sure the inning was over, Paul rolled the ball out to the mound with the Angels already coming off the field, so Pierzynski was easily safe.

Then everybody stopped, including the umpires. When they let Pierzynski stay at first, Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia came out of the dugout to argue.

"When he rings him up with a fist, he's out," Scioscia said.

The umpires huddled and upheld the call after a delay of about four minutes.

When it looked as if play was about to begin again, Scioscia came out again and Eddings consulted with third-base umpire Ed Rapuano.

The call stood, and the White Sox capitalized.

Pinch-runner Pablo Ozuna quickly stole second, and Crede lined an 0-2 pitch into the left-field corner for a game-winning double.

Mark Buehrle pitched a five-hitter for the first complete game of this postseason, and the White Sox bounced back from a tight loss in the opener.

"Do we feel lucky? No," Pierzynski said. "Did they feel lucky when they won last night?"

The series shifts to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday. The Angels were planning to finally get some sleep -- but that might be difficult after losing this way.