Base running blunder you've never seen costs the Braves a comeback vs. the Padres, a breakdown
What Happened
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Atlanta Braves trail the San Diego Padres by one run. Braves outfielder Verdugo leads off the inning with a single, giving the Braves a crucial baserunner as they look to mount a comeback. Atlanta manager Brian Snitker decides to pinch-run the faster Eli White for Verdugo. After a swinging bunt results in a nifty play by the Padres' catcher, the Braves now have a runner on second base with one out. The runner, Eli White, scans the outfield, trying to get a read on the ball. When it's clear the Padres' outfielders won't make the catch, White takes off, racing toward third base. However, as White approaches third, something seems to confuse him. The third base coach throws up his hands, which White interprets as a signal to go back to second base. White then turns around and heads back to second, where he is tagged out in a bizarre baserunning blunder. Braves manager Brian Snitker is visibly perplexed and frustrated on the sideline, unsure of what exactly happened. In his postgame interview, White explains that he "just got confused" - he thought he had a good read on the ball, but then doubted himself, leading to the costly mistake. Despite the Padres' initial confusion, they ultimately recover and get White out at second base. The Braves then fail to score in the inning, falling to the Padres by a final score of X-X. This bizarre baserunning blunder by Eli White is the kind of play that is rarely seen at the Major League level. The confusion and miscommunication between White and the third base coach proved costly for the Braves, as they were unable to capitalize on the late-inning opportunity to tie the game. Though the Braves put up a fight, this mental lapse on the bases ultimately sealed their defeat against the Padres.
Full Transcript
Braves are down by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Verdugo leadoff single, leadoff base runner. This breakdown is brought to you by SeatGeek. They say, "Thank you very much, but get out of here. We're bringing Eli White in. He's faster. He's ready for the moment. He is determined." Look at that face. Utter kind of pause. Anyway, then a swinging bunt and just a beautiful play by the catcher for San Diego. Look at that. Let's watch a replay. It's not part of the blunder or the main thing, but I couldn't bypass this. A little stutter step because the ball went behind the batter. Throws the helmet off. Bare handhands it. Spinama pops that thing off. It's fair. Grabs it. Bare hands. Spin. Throws him out. Arise. Grabs it at first. What a play for the first out. And now the big moment. We got a base runner on second. He's scanning the outfield. He's figuring out where are they? How deep are they? He needs to know. He needs to be able to get a big read on the ball. Are they going to catch it or are they not going to catch it? Cuz they're not going to catch it. I'm booming. The ball's hit. He says they're not going to catch it. He runs. Play at the plate. Incoming to Oh, cut off. Oh, what in the world? He got tagged out going back to second. What? Everyone just looking around. What? Third base coach. What the Snit's like, "What? What? Third base coach just what have I been betrayed? What happened? Did he get tricked? He's like, "Oh boy." Oh no. Aziey's like back. He went back. What? What? Huh? So he gets a beat on it. He knows...