A sneaky Javier Baez turned a single into a double and boldly stole home in NLCS Game 1
In the second inning of the Cubs' 8-4 win over the Dodgers in NLCS Game 1 on Saturday night, Chicago's fiery infielder lofted a popup to short center field. It landed, plating Chicago's second run of the game, and Baez scampered to second for a double on what would have been a single for most hitters.
Balls hit similarly to @javy23baez’s double resulted in a .111 AVG in 2016.
— #Statcast (@statcast) October 16, 2016
None of them resulted in extra bases. pic.twitter.com/Hw605gxzyU
A wild pitch moved Baez to third with two outs. With
The madness played out like this:
His manager, Joe Maddon, did his best to refrain from smiling in the dugout after that display:
This was the Cubs' first postseason steal of home in a long, long time:
Baez 1st #Cubs player to steal home in a postseason game since 1907 World Series
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) October 16, 2016
On 1907 WS steal of home (?) "Chance started to steal second and Slagle scored before the manager was put out by Schaefer" (Tribune) @ckamka pic.twitter.com/6QNHZk3Gj9
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) October 16, 2016
This type of hustle is the stuff that makes October heroes happen ... well, this and slick gum-saving hand-eye coordination, too.
See what Baez and the Cubs have in store when they face off against