Dave Martinez faced a bases loaded, no out situation in the bottom of the tenth, the Marlins J.T. Realmuto at the plate. Martinez brings Bryce Harper in to play at first base for a five man infield. Realmuto hits a fly ball down the rightfield line. Michael Taylor and Bryce Harper each almost reach it, but it falls for a hit. Given the way they were running, they would not have had a chance to throw out the runner from third, Magneuris Sierra, since he is very fast and neither would have time to stop and set for the throw.
If Harper had been at his normal position in rightfield, however, he likely would have caught the ball. He might have made the play close at home, as the ball hung in the air a long time, and Harper has a strong arm. It reminds me of this play from the 2001 World Series:
Joe Torre brought the infield in against Luis Gonzalez with one out instead of playing back for a potential double play. If Jeter is playing at his normal position, he catches that line drive and the Diamondbacks do not score on that batted ball. It is tough to fault the managers, they know their teams, they know their opponents, and they likely make the move that works out the best in the long run. It just looks bad when you make the right move and the batter doesn’t cooperate.
Harper noted after the game that Realmuto would not have been at the plate if the Nationals had traded for him.
from baseballmusings.com https://ift.tt/2LzSQ6c
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