Watch: MLB Star Robs Walk-Off HR with Incredible Leaping Catch, Preserves Win
Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is one of the worst hitters in the MLB this season. But Wednesday night, we saw once again why the Red Sox value Bradley — and it’s not for his bat.
Bradley added to his resume of incredible defensive plays when he robbed the Orioles’ Trey Mancini of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. The Sox went on to win 2-1.
Insane play by Jackie Bradley Jr. https://t.co/rQt1DyuQlE
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 9, 2019
With one out and no one on in the bottom of the 11th, Mancini ripped an 0-2 pitch from Boston reliever Ryan Brasier into deep left-centerfield.
Bradley, a Gold Glover last year, drifted back, timed his jump and extended his glove over the 7-foot wall to make the game-saving catch. It likely made Boston fans forget Bradley’s .142 batting average.
This?
Oh it’s no big deal…Just Jackie Bradley Jr saving the day once again #RedSox pic.twitter.com/FdUNrFU3Qe
— Red Sox on CLNS (@RedSoxCLNS) May 9, 2019
“Just went back, tracked it, and got a good jump on it,” Bradley said of the catch, reported Boston.com. “Timed my footsteps the way I wanted to, and got up there and executed.”
Mancini even gave him a tip of the cap for that grab.
“Good players and great teams make great plays in big spots, and that was an ultra-exceptional play,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said, reported Boston.com.
7 of Jackie Bradley Jr.’s greatest catcheshttps://t.co/YMvsc8e4o0 pic.twitter.com/7f6flqYvAv
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) May 9, 2019
Brasier struck out the next batter, Renato Nunez, and the game went to the 12th tied 1-1.
With two outs in the top of the the 12th, Boston’s Andrew Benintendi went yard to give the Sox a 2-1 lead. Heath Hembree came on in the bottom of the 12th to strike out the side to preserve Boston’s 2-1 win.
Andrew Benintendi hits a home run to put the Red Sox up in the 12th inning pic.twitter.com/OzuaDacY5M
— Baseball Scoops (@BaseballScoops) May 9, 2019
With the win, Boston got back to .500 for the first time since the second game of the season, improving to 19-19 — five games behind Tampa in the AL East.
Chris Sale looked like himself, giving up one run on three hits in eight innings with 14 strikeouts. Brasier (2-1) got the win, while Hembree picked up his first save.
Yefry Ramirez (0-1) took the loss for Baltimore, which fell to 13-24.
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