It's Probably Not As "Record Breaking" To Hit Three Grand Slams In A Game If Strikes Are Called Balls

ESPN.com chose to lead its website with the Yankees 22-9 win over the A's this afternoon. Specifically, they highlighted the Yankees " record three slams in romp." This is noteworthy since it's the first such trifecta in MLB history. One for the ages.

What was not highlighted, however, was something that eagle-eyed tipster Dennis J. noticed. Specifically, Eduardo Nunez's at bat in the bottom of the seventh. Even more specifically, the first pitch. And even more specifically than that, the suggestion via ESPN's gamecast that home-plate umpire Adrian Johnson called a Bruce Billings pitch a ball despite it being in the strike zone's epicenter.

In 1.1 innings pitched, Billings surrendered six hits and seven earned runs. Much of that came from the record-breaking grand slam he surrendered to Curtis Granderson.

Poor thing.

Yankees set record with 3 slams in romp of A's [ESPN]

Slideshow: A's give up grand slam record in 22-9 loss to Yankees [Oakland Tribune]