Kemp's gravity-defying grab is Play of Week

May 24th, 2021

A’s second baseman 's full-extension diving catch against the Astros at the Oakland Coliseum last Tuesday was recognized as the Play of the Week on Monday.

If the A's had been lined up in a standard defensive alignment, Houston catcher Martin Maldonado’s line drive between shortstop Chad Pinder and the second-base bag in the top of the fourth inning would have undoubtedly been a hit.

Oakland’s shift gave Kemp a chance to grab it, though it still required a magnificent effort from the 29-year-old, who took flight from the infield dirt and laid out to make the catch before landing on the outfield grass. Standing 5-foot-6, Kemp needed every inch of his frame to get his glove on the ball.