You never see a player get picked off to end a baseball game. You would think that a runner on first base with two outs and a two-run deficit would make it a priority to not be picked off. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to the New York Yankees last night, and the miscue sealed a 6-4 victory for the visiting Los Angeles Angels.
In the bottom of the ninth at Yankee Stadium last night, the Yankees were trying to rally from a 6-4 deficit against the Angels. Mariano Rivera had just given up a 2-run home run to Bobby Abreu in the top of the ninth to give the Angels the lead.
The Yankees had runners on first and third with two outs. Curtis Granderson was the runner on first base. With a 1-2 count and Mark Texiera at the plate, Angels pitcher Jordan Walden made a few pickoff throws toward third base. This apparently set up Curtis Granderson for what would happen next.
Walden headed toward third one more time, but this time Walden faked the throw towards third base. Granderson fell for it and took a few steps towards second base. Walden quickly turned around and made an actual pickoff throw to first, catching Granderson in no man's land between first and second.
Watch video of the play courtesy of MLB.com.
Granderson was caught in a rundown between shortstop Eric Aybar and first baseman Mark Trumbo, where he was eventually tagged out by Trumbo.
Bobby Abreu homers twice, once off Mariano Rivera, to lead Angels [AP via ESPN]
Click Here to Shop for Angels Baseball Gear & Apparel at the MLB Shop!
In the bottom of the ninth at Yankee Stadium last night, the Yankees were trying to rally from a 6-4 deficit against the Angels. Mariano Rivera had just given up a 2-run home run to Bobby Abreu in the top of the ninth to give the Angels the lead.
The Yankees had runners on first and third with two outs. Curtis Granderson was the runner on first base. With a 1-2 count and Mark Texiera at the plate, Angels pitcher Jordan Walden made a few pickoff throws toward third base. This apparently set up Curtis Granderson for what would happen next.
Walden headed toward third one more time, but this time Walden faked the throw towards third base. Granderson fell for it and took a few steps towards second base. Walden quickly turned around and made an actual pickoff throw to first, catching Granderson in no man's land between first and second.
Watch video of the play courtesy of MLB.com.
Granderson was caught in a rundown between shortstop Eric Aybar and first baseman Mark Trumbo, where he was eventually tagged out by Trumbo.
"I was trying to get to second base. The odds are you never really see too many teams do that too many times in an inning," Granderson said. "So the odds are he's probably not going to do it again. There's two strikes and I don't have too many options to get to second base."Here's an option, Curtis: How about waiting until the ball gets hit?
Bobby Abreu homers twice, once off Mariano Rivera, to lead Angels [AP via ESPN]
Click Here to Shop for Angels Baseball Gear & Apparel at the MLB Shop!
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
