Braves vs. Phillies: Bryce Harper explains base running decision after getting doubled off on game-ending play

The Atlanta Braves on Monday night time pulled off a white-knuckled 5-4 comeback win over the Philadelphia Phillies in NLDS Game 2. The end result evened the collection at 1-1, and the competition by means of any same old completed “instant classic” standing. No speedy vintage is whole with no standout defensive spotlight, and Braves heart fielder Michael Harris II authored any such second within the most sensible of the 9th inning. 

With the Braves clutching that one-run edge and Bryce Harper on first base as the possible tying run with one outs, Nick Castellanos seemed to arise giant. 

He became on a Raisel Iglesias fastball and despatched it 392 toes to proper heart, 100.8 mph off the bat. The high quality of touch was once such that the ball had an anticipated batting moderate of .610. Working in opposition to the ones implied odds was once Harris, who snared Castellanos’ power with a soar in entrance of the wall after which heaved the ball again infield-ward for the double play. 

Let’s roll the tape: 

If Harris does not get a hold of that ball, then it is a tie recreation, and Castellanos is in scoring place. As for Harper’s competitive base running on the play, it was once defensible given the placement — down by means of a run within the 9th — and given how neatly Castellanos hit the ball. Here’s a 3-d take a look at Harper’s course on the base-paths: 

Harper was once already previous 2d base when Harris made the catch, however he nonetheless most probably would’ve been in a position to scamper again to protection had Austin Riley no longer made the heads-up play to corral the ball after it were given previous Ozzie Albies and get it to first base. 

To pay attention Harper inform it, it was once a calculated chance on his section.

“He made a good play,” Harper advised journalists. “You know, I probably shouldn’t have gone over second base. But I made a decision, and I’ll live with that. …Just taking a chance. Michael made a great play and doubled me up. Tough way to end it.”

Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson was once requested about it post-game by means of Tim Kelly:

Thomson mentioned: 

“Usually you don’t pass the base. You stay in front of it, make sure it’s not caught. But he thought the ball was clearly over his head, didn’t think he was going to catch it. And Harris made an heck of a play. Unbelievable. He tried to get back, and he slipped, but usually you stay in front of the second base.”

You can most likely symbolize that as “soft, diplomatic criticism,” however, once more, Harper’s aggressiveness is defensible given the placement and the stakes.

Wherever you return down on that discuss, Harris with Riley in supporting position pulled off a game-saver of a defensive play. For Atlanta, it can be a season-saver of a play.