Vladdy gets picked off during crucial moment, a breakdown
What Happened
The Toronto Blue Jays are facing elimination in a crucial game against the Minnesota Twins. Toronto is down 2-0 in the late innings, but they have two runners on base with the tying run at second base. Outfielder George Springer has advanced to third base, while first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the runner at second. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette steps up to the plate with a chance to tie the game. Guerrero takes a big lead off second base, sensing an opportunity. The Twins' pitcher, Sonny Gray, does not attempt to hold Guerrero on. Bichette works the count to 3-2, fouling off a tough pitch. The crowd in Minnesota holds their breath as the decisive pitch approaches. Gray's 3-2 offering bounces in the dirt, allowing Guerrero to take an even bigger lead off second. Catcher Gary Sánchez scrambles to block the ball, giving Guerrero a chance to potentially steal third. However, as Guerrero is inching off the bag, Twins shortstop Carlos Correa sneaks behind him and quickly applies the tag. Guerrero is caught in a rundown and is eventually tagged out, ending the inning and squashing the Blue Jays' rally. The Twins' players and fans erupt in celebration, while Guerrero is visibly distraught. "No, no, no, no, no," he pleads, hoping the umpires will overturn the call. But the replay confirms that Correa's heads-up play has caught Guerrero off base and the out is upheld. "Vladdy's picked off second base," says the announcer, shaking his head. "Easy peasy, lemon squeezy." The Blue Jays' hopes of tying the game are dashed and they now face an uphill battle to stay alive in the playoffs.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentElimination game for Toronto, and they're down 2-0, but they have two runners on.
This breakdown is brought to you by DraftKings, and now both runners advance.
Springer goes to third, Vlade goes to second, Vlade's the tying run at second.
Bichette's up, Vlade's taking a nice lead, he's not being held on,
because you're not usually held on by the shortstop.
That's a strike, called a ball, because the catcher reached across his body.
2-0, huge swing from Bowe.
Bowe only takes huge swings, another huge swing from Bowe.
And now they're standing on their feet in Minnesota, because there's two strikes,
two outs, the 2-2 pitch, in the dirt, spiked, and Vlade on second says,
come on, come on, let's go.
Deep, deep breath, so he takes a deep breath.
3-2, they're praying in the crowd, the first 3-2 pitch, fouled away,
four seam up and in.
3-2, two outs, whoa, they're saying prayers in the crowd,
they gon' get me an out any way we can.
Whoa, pick off, and no way they get him.
No way.
Let's go!
Fuck yeah!
Woo!
No way that just happened.
Vlade's like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Check on it, just check on it, check on it, check on it, check on it.
Trust me, trust me, trust me.
And they're like, dude, get out of here.
You're gone.
He's like, dad, give her a high five.
Dad, high five.
Good job.
Ha!
Pointing and laughing at Vlade.
He's like, no, no, check it, check it, check it.
Okay, we'll watch the replay.
Springer moves.
Now, I wonder if he goes on Sonny's foot.
Look at Sonny's front foot on the pitcher.
His front foot, he kind of gets into his position,
and on that movement, Correa breaks toward the base,
and I'm guessing there's like a one Mississippi.
I don't know.
Let's see what it is.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three.
Something like that.
Vladdy doesn't feel Correa coming at all.
Correa is sneaking behind him like he's going to steal his money,
and then, oh, so maybe he bangs his glove, and that's Sonny's cue?
No, because he does that after Sonny turns,
and then Vladdy's like, oh, I got to get back,
and then he has to do a swim move,
and it's just not going to work out for him.
I love the position both of them are in as they're looking towards the ump.
Please, choose me, choose me, and he chooses the twins
because it was the right call.
They reviewed it, and they said, no.
No, you're out, and it's a terrible mistake,
and everyone's going to be really upset, and they have a right to be.
You're the tying run.
You're not even the lead runner.
You got to be aware there, man.
They can't target you.
That's only because the Blue Jays kind of aren't running.
So that ended the inning.
They didn't even need to get Bowe.
He had him 3-2.
Walk, bases would have been loaded.
Instead, easy peasy.
Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Vladdy's picked off second base.
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