WATCH: Baez tries to fake out Yadier Molina on play at plate, fails miserably |
CHICAGO — After throwing out fellow Puerto Rican Yadier Molina on
a spectacular cross-body throw earlier in the game, Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez was on the losing end of a play at the plate involving Molina in the fifth inning of the Cardinals-Cubs game on Saturday afternoon.
Tagging up at third base and attempting to score on a fly ball to left field off the bat of Chicago catcher Victor Caratini, Baez was gunned down on a laser throw from Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna. However, in typical Baez fashion, "Javy" did not give up on the play. As one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, Molina successfully fielded the throw from Ozuna and was perfectly positioned to apply the tag by the time that Baez slid. After failing miserably at one of his signature hook slides, Baez proceeded to pop up onto his feet and engage in a friendly staredown with his good friend Molina. Despite Baez seeming to be out of the baseline, which Molina pointed out, the home-plate umpire allowed the play to reach a more enjoyable conclusion. Once Baez realized that there was no way that he could sneak his way around Molina, he capitulated and walked right into Molina's mitt for the third out of the inning. Furthermore, the longtime friends shared a quick hug on the way to their respective dugouts to round out one of the funniest highlights of the season. I was expecting Baez to pull a Chris Coghlan here. pic.twitter.com/c39FIjCtv5
