Reds-Cubs Replay?

Now, this doesn't rise to the level of Spy-gate in the NFL, but the Cubs' victory over Cincinnati on Monday has had a shadow of sorts cast over it by a wayward Lou Pinella - I'll let the Chicago Tribune explain:

The Reds officially filed a protest Tuesday over the 7-6 Cubs victory on Monday night but had not heard a final decision from the commissioner's office. The protest arose when Piniella walked toward the pitcher's mound in the sixth inning, then turned toward home plate to make a double switch, bringing in pitcher Scott Eyre and catcher Geovany Soto.

The book of Official Baseball Rules states a manager must go directly to the umpire when making a double switch. However, umpire crew chief Rick Reed cited an umpire's manual stating that the rule referred to a second visit to a mound and not the first.

"Why don't they put that into our [rule book] instead of just their manual?" Reds manager Pete Mackanin asked.

The worst-case scenario for the Cubs would be that the game has to be played over. But that is unlikely even if the protest is upheld.

Rule 4.19 of the official book states:"Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the [commissioner's office] the violation adversely affects the protesting team's chances of winning the game."

But Reds GM Wayne Krivsky said: "How can they say [Soto's] presence didn't affect the outcome of the game? Him being in the lineup changes everything."

Here's betting that Bud doesn't help out his old team by making them re-play the game. Too bad. Perhaps, like an aircraft carrier, it takes Sweet Lou's belly a while to get turned in the right direction once he disembarks from the dugout.