NEWS FLASH: Jim Joyce blows call at first base

Umpire Jim Joyce.

A (sorta) close call at first base.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, this:

That was Danny Espinosa, clearly beating David Freese’s throw to first base after a lovely bunt with a runner already aboard. Yeah, in real time it was a really close play. It fooled Bob Costas, anyway. But umpires are going to call this play correctly ... what? Nine times out of ten? More?

So thanks to Joyce, the Nationals had a man on second with one out -- Espinosa got credit for a sacrifice hit, even though he wasn’t really trying for one, not with the No. 8 hitter due next -- instead of two aboard with nobody out.

Chris Carpenter easily retired Kurt Suzuki and Edwin Jackson to preserve the Cardinals’ 1-0 lead, heading to the third inning.