In a game with only 12 hits between the teams, seven were for extra bases and four for homers, which allowed for large, sudden shifts in the flow. All rights reserved.Joel Payamps, pitching for the sixth time in the last nine days as part of a heavily-worked bullpen, locked down the save with a scoreless ninth. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. "When I called him safe, I remembered that I had to go to first," Baez said. The play helped the Cubs to a sweep of the Pirates, but the buzz postgame wasn't about the Cubs' four-game winning streak - it was all about Baez. I guarantee you will never see that again while I'm here. Pirates manager Derek Shelton put the blame on himself. I think that's why a lot of people fall in love with him."Ĭraig wasn't made available to reporters after the game, while starting pitcher Tyler Anderson admitted no one was yelling to Craig to just tag first base. The Cubs' dugout burst out in laughter, and the play instantly went viral. Baez's return toward home was within the rules as long as he didn't go out of the baseline or reach the plate. If the Pirates had tagged Baez or stepped on first at any point in the sequence, the run would not have counted - even if the out came after Contreras had crossed the plate. "I'm pretty good at tagging and not letting people tag me," Baez said. According to Statcast, it took Baez 15.54 seconds to reach first base, which is the longest time to first on a fielder's choice in at least the last three seasons. "It was just weird."īaez was credited with a fielder's choice, while Perez was given an error for his throw. "It was just a weird play," Pirates center fielder Bryan Reynolds said. The connection didn't happen as the ball went into right field and Baez ended up at second base. Perez attempted to throw the ball to second baseman Adam Frazier, who just now was moving over to cover first. So Baez took off while Perez had the ball at home, with Craig just a few feet away. If he hadn't reached first base safely, then Contreras' run wouldn't have counted. "I didn't know if I have to because I got into a rundown." Baez was still just a couple of feet away from home - and he signaled Contreras was safe before taking off on a return trip toward first. Instead of tagging Baez, or even going back to first to step on the bag, Craig flipped the ball to Pirates catcher Michael Perez as Contreras came sliding home safely. With Baez slowing down as he approached home, Contreras came steaming toward the plate from the third-base side. Craig followed him down the line, although he could have simply stepped on first base and ended the inning. So Baez began backtracking toward home to avoid the tag. "I was just trying to make Willy score even though there were two outs." "My first thought was to go headfirst, pretty much out of the baseline, but the throw got there so early," Baez explained. Gonzalez's throw to first baseman Will Craig was up the baseline a little, but Craig was able to catch the ball with Baez standing right in front of him. With Cubs catcher Willson Contreras on second base with two outs in the top of the third inning, Baez hit a routine ground ball to third baseman Erik Gonzalez. It's a play you'll likely never see again. "It really is a magic act," manager David Ross said with a smile after the game. His nickname is El Mago (The Magician) for a reason.Ĭhicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez was at it again Thursday, creating havoc on the basepaths that led to two runs for his team - the difference in a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Javier Baez helped Chicago Cubs score on a play you've never seen before You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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