Phillies starting pitcher, Vince Velasquez plays the OF and throws out a runner, a breakdown
What Happened
In a sloppy, extra-inning matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox, Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez finds himself unexpectedly thrust into an unusual role. With the game tied in the late innings, Phillies manager Rob Thomson calls upon Velasquez to pinch-run for the team's previous pitcher, who had reached base. Velasquez, a right-handed pitcher, dutifully takes his place on the basepaths, but the Phillies are unable to capitalize, resulting in Velasquez having to take the field in left field, while an outfielder is forced to pitch. In the ensuing chaos, White Sox first baseman José Abreu hits a ground ball that gets past the Phillies' defense, allowing him to advance to second base. However, Abreu injures his knee on the play. With Velasquez now stationed in left field, the White Sox attempt to take advantage of the pitcher-turned-outfielder's arm. As the go-ahead run rounds third base, Velasquez fields the ball cleanly and unleashes a perfect one-hop throw to the catcher, who applies the tag, cutting down the runner and preserving the tie game. In the following inning, Velasquez again finds himself involved in the action, this time on the mound. He steps off the rubber and makes a successful pickoff throw to first base, drawing praise from his teammates. However, the White Sox continue to test Velasquez's arm and he responds by making another strong throw to third base, narrowly missing the runner. Velasquez's defensive heroics continue as he makes a diving catch in the outfield, much to the delight of the Phillies dugout. Despite the Phillies' eventual loss, Velasquez's versatility and ability to make crucial plays in unfamiliar positions have left a lasting impression on both teams and the fans in attendance.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentthe White Sox and Phillies played a
beautifully sloppy game of baseball the
other day Extra Innings man on first
pitcher tries to bunt them over to get
him in scoring position doesn't work
don't worry
Fullmer walks the next batter he says
hey hey pitch velázquez nietzsche was
like 2 pitch not need you to pinch run
for the pitcher here we go fillets
Phillies baseball ok but doesn't matter
at a pitcher pinch run for a pitcher but
pop out [ __ ] so now you have to put the
pitcher in the outfield and you have an
outfielder pitching why is the pitcher
not pitching well Heep through 90
pitches a couple days ago so he can't
lead off walk hotshot gets them can they
double him up no they throw it away
Abreu goes to second but he bangs up his
knee on the play remember got a starting
pitcher in left field and he's going to
get some action go ahead run rounds
third he's hobbling home pitcher throws
it nails him
nice one hopper low right to the glove
perfect tag and he is out that's fun
ever get up get up one struggling
getting out of it everyone up everyone
up
give him the curveball diving stop at
third and they escape pitcher pitching
they get out of it yeah next inning
though Phillies didn't score man on
first hey I need you to throw it over
can you do that for me just step off
step off and throw it over ok I can do
that and also a check out my thumb
fully-functional what do you think about
that steps off throws that over thumb is
the pickoff sign for those that don't
know everyone's excited hey you throw a
pickoff successful pickoff next time you
walk Sanderson now you got 2 on Abreu is
the hitter not the runner now and they
test his arm again and he comes up
rifling again oh they just barely
missing he's like damn man you got good
arm
no scouting report look at this here's a
little freeze-frame I have perfect slide
they just miss them perfect slide oh
yeah pout time skin late it's about time
now they're up but just to end it one
more shot to the pitcher and look feel
he makes a diving grab look at that now
that is a fun time hitters like come on
man
goddamn he's smiling the Phillies lost
they couldn't come back but good job by
the pitcher