RF Polanco nabs another runner at 1st base
Outfielder records second 9-3 putout in 17 games
PITTSBURGH -- Gregory Polanco is getting pretty good at this 9-3 putout thing.
For the second time in 17 games, the Pirates' right fielder nailed a runner at first on a clean "hit." This time, the play saved a run because it came with a runner on third and two outs in the second inning of Friday's 6-4 win in 12 innings over the Reds at PNC Park.
Cincinnati pitcher Keyvius Sampson's liner to right was fielded on one hop by Polanco, whose strong throw to first baseman Pedro Alvarez nailed Sampson by a step, as Adam Duvall was trotting in from third. The play ended the inning with the Reds ahead, 2-0.
"He was playing kind of shallow, they said. I thought I had my first hit and first RBI," said Sampson, who is 0-for-13 with 11 strikeouts as a hitter. "He took a little wind out of me with that one. Hopefully there are plenty more AB's and plenty more times to get more hits and more RBIs."
On Sept. 15, in the day portion of a split doubleheader against the Cubs, Polanco threw out pitcher Trevor Cahill on an identical play.
Video: CHC@PIT: Statcast™ measures Polanco's throw to first