Colorado starter Chris Rusin wasn't even in the windup, but he also wasn't paying attention to Upton, who broke for home slightly before Rusin's first move. The pitch -- a called strike to Padres starter Drew Pomeranz -- arrived ahead of Upton. But catcher Nick Hundley was slow to hop out of his crouch.
That's when Upton made one of the more impressive slides you'll ever see -- on the fair side of the third-base line. He adeptly avoided Hundley's tag with his torso, while slapping his left hand on the plate.
Last June against Oakland, Upton attempted the same feat -- and actually tapped the plate safely then, too. But the play was ruled a balk on then-A's starter Scott Kazmir instead, and Upton wasn't credited with a steal.
He'll get credit this time though. And for a play that bold, he certainly deserves it.
AJ Cassavell covers the Padres for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassavell. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Upton Jr. pulls off straight steal of home in 4th
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire