Pitcher rolls ball to first with glove for absolutely bonkers 1-3 putout

OAKLAND -- It wasn’t long ago that A’s reliever Lucas Erceg was a top prospect as a third baseman in the Brewers’ organization. So when the opportunity arose for him to play some defense on Sunday afternoon, those natural infield instincts kicked in for one of the craziest 1-3 putouts you will ever see.

In the eighth inning of Oakland’s 7-6 win over the Nationals at the Coliseum, a comebacker hit by Jesse Winker kicked off Erceg’s foot and ricocheted toward the infield dirt. Staying with it, the right-hander chased down the ball and went between his legs to smack it with his glove. While it was off-balance and led to Erceg losing his glove given where the momentum was carrying him, the tap was just hard enough that it rolled perfectly to first baseman Ryan Noda to end the inning.

“I just tried finding it as quickly as possible,” Erceg said. “I got it over to Noda and happened to get him out. That was sick.”

Did the previous years of third base experience help make that play?

“Sure,” Erceg said. “Whatever you want to call it. I just want to be quick on my feet and be athletic. That was just a play.”

Erceg’s extraordinary play to end a scoreless eighth was integral. It helped maintain a one-run lead in a tight ballgame that saw the A’s secure their third consecutive series victory, marking the first time they’ve won three series in a row since winning five straight in 2021.

“We’re just going out there and not letting the losses affect us too much,” Erceg said. “Everything is kind of clicking right now, so we’re just going to keep going.”