WATCH: Rizzo makes ingenious decision that leads to unorthodox double play


by - Senior Writer -

There is arguably no player in the majors better at fielding bunts than Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, and he proved as much on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Rizzo is known for charging across the infield grass to field bunts on the third-base side, and he showcased that when he raced to corral a bunt and fired a throw to out the lead runner at third base in the fifth inning.

Later in the contest, though, Rizzo was somehow able to top the impressive fifth-inning feat with perhaps the most ingenious heads-up play of his career. In the top of the 10th, the Marlins led off with a single and proceeded to attempt to advance the runner to second via a sacrifice bunt. However, Jon Berti's bunt was pinged high up into the air off the bat, making for what could have been an easy catch of a popup by Rizzo.

However, Rizzo decided to allow the ball to drop, with the wily first baseman then picking it up and racing to step onto first base to out Berti and leave open the possibility of getting the runner, Rosell Herrera, out. All that Herrera had to do was stand on first base, and once Rizzo touched the bag, he would have been safe there. Instead, Herrera became confused by Rizzo's unique decision and stupidly attempted to advance to second base after Rizzo recorded the out at first. Herrera was soon tagged out in a rundown, resulting in an unorthodox double play made entirely possible by the cunning mind of Rizzo.

Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Cole Little: Email | Comment
Post your comments!