updated 5:53 p.m. ET April 16, 2006

BALTIMORE - It might have been the longest single in Javy Lopez’s career. Without question, it was the most disappointing.

Lopez hit a pitch from John Lackey into the seats at Camden Yards on Sunday, but a confusing series of events caused him to pass teammate Miguel Tejada on the bases. Lopez was ruled out at second base, a key play in the Baltimore Orioles’ 9-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

The base-running gaffe occurred in the second inning. After Tejada singled, Lopez hit a drive to center that sent Darin Erstad leaping at the wall to make the catch. When Erstad tumbled to the ground — his leg twisted awkwardly underneath him — it was uncertain whether he caught the ball.

By the time Erstad showed his empty glove, Tejada had retreated from second base and was passed by Lopez, who was credited with an RBI single and called out for passing the runner.

Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said second-base umpire Gerry Davis told him that third-base umpire Brian Gorman called the hit a home run. Lopez saw things differently.

“Me and Tejada were looking at the umpire the whole time, wondering what kind of call he was going to make. We were wondering if the ball was out or (Erstad) got it in his glove,” Lopez said. “One umpire called an out, so obviously Tejada went back to first base. Then the other umpire said the ball was out. But by the time he made the call, I had already passed Tejada.”

Lopez said he had never been involved in a play of that nature. Perlozzo put the blame on both players, although in fairness to Tejada and Lopez, it was unclear if Erstad had the ball in his glove.

“I think we all know you can’t pass the runner. ... There really was no reason to run back to first because the guy was laying on the ground not moving,” Perlozzo said. “And Javy doesn’t need to pass him. It was just a botched play.”

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

By rule, Lopez was called out at second base.

Baltimore lost handily, but Perlozzo wondered if things might have been different if the home run had counted and if the Orioles had effectively prevented a double steal that enabled Los Angeles to take a 2-1 lead in the third.

“We made a couple of mistakes that cost us,” Perlozzo said. “We could have come out of that five innings up 3-2 or 4-2 and it would have been a whole different ballgame. But it unraveled after that.”

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

GMs head out to work on offseason trades Report: Mets, Phillies interested in Figgins MLB blog: Tigers listening to offers for Granderson MLB blog: Can Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies get Halladay? Report: Angels still might re-sign Lackey Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay Varitek exercises option to remain with Red Sox MLB blog: Mariners are bringing back Griffey ... why? Report: Mets begin discussions for Holliday Wainwright: Holliday wants to return to Cards Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: