Tony Kemp triples then scores on an errant appeal throw, a breakdown
What Happened
With the game on the line in the late innings, Chicago Cubs pinch-hitter Tony Kemp steps to the plate at Wrigley Field. The right-handed batter faces an off-speed pitch from the opposing pitcher, which he swings through. The pitcher then delivers another off-speed offering that catches too much of the plate and Kemp doesn't miss it, sending a line drive down the third base line. Kemp races around the bases as the ball reaches the ivy-covered outfield wall. He rounds third base and sprints home, scoring the go-ahead runs for the Cubs with a two-run triple. The Wrigley crowd erupts in cheers, sensing a potential late-season comeback for their team. The opposing manager, Clint Hurdle, comes out to dispute the play, believing Kemp may have missed touching third base on his way around the bases. Hurdle instructs his pitcher to make an appeal throw to third, but the throw sails past the third baseman, allowing Kemp to score easily. "Nothing can go that wrong for us," a frustrated Hurdle says, shaking his head. Baseball analyst Buck Showalter offers some insight, noting that pitchers often have trouble making accurate throws to the bases because they're used to throwing downhill from the mound. In the end, the umpires confirm that Kemp touched all the bases properly, denying Hurdle's appeal attempt. The Little League-style "home run" gives the Cubs a crucial late-inning lead, much to the delight of the Wrigley faithful. As the two managers debate the play, it's clear this could be a pivotal moment in both of their teams' seasons going forward.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momenthere's a fun moment for everyone Tony
Kemp stepping in for the pinch-hit
appearance sun shining off of his helmet
this one's brought to you by backside
baseball apparel inside off speed swings
through it let's throw that same pitch
up gets too much of the plate Tony sends
that down the line he rounds third he's
worn the balls going to the Ivy he
rounds third he's scoring Tony Kemp
stood in the third base it's a two-run
triple to take the lead Cubs fans are
going crazy Wrigley is excited they
still think they have a season and a
postseason in store they were wronged
they were wrong this pitcher was wrong
he's like damn man that was the worst
outcome I think that could have happened
I didn't I didn't want that at least
Tony Kemp didn't score though can watch
a guy round the bases forever it's art I
love it it's just one of my favorite
things to do so smooth hula pop-up slide
dope like he was diving into a swimming
race Clint Hurdle says hey man nothing
can nothing can go that wrong for us can
we check someone had to miss third base
step off throw over let's appeal the
someone had to miss third base it's just
too unlucky okay no he hit third base
perfectly fine next runner um I don't
know I'm just looking right down at his
foot I'd say he got it too but you know
what what can hurt with the appeal
process
oh-ho that your pitcher can overthrow
your third baseman you can give Tony
Kemp the Little League home run he's
like no but okay that's fine but we're
still gonna appeal it can you still get
together because we came this far they
say safe everyone touched third base
safe all around home plate UMP is gonna
look at them and say you still want
replay no no you don't want replay
anymore and a scratch the whole thing
this was a failure
Madden's like what the hell is that
about two managers that might not be
around anymore Buck Showalter another
former manager says that pitchers have
trouble throwing to the bases because
they're on level ground they're used to
throwing downhill so they overcompensate
by throwing a little higher than normal
because they're going downhill and then
when they throw a flat to flat
they always airmail it kind of an
interesting tidbit that buck said the
other day on the YES Network this one
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