There’s always a threat of a stolen base with some fast players, but it’s incredibly rare to see someone steal their way around the bases. Toronto Blue Jays’ center (or centre, depending on your side of the border) fielder Kevin Pillar did just that Saturday against the New York Yankees, though, stealing second, third and home in the same inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, Pillar singled to right field off reliever Dellin Betances with one out and the Jays up 4-3 (following a Yangervis Solarte solo home run off Betances and a Randall Grichuk strikeout), then stole second base after Aledmys Diaz struck out. Pillar then stole third, and then Luke Maile, who reached on a walk, tried to tempt the Yankees into a throw to second. They didn’t bite, so Pillar promptly stole home, and crossed the plate standing up thanks to a wild pitch from Betances:
Kevin Pillar steals home STANDING UP 😳
Watch the game LIVE on https://t.co/85zLaeTO32 pic.twitter.com/GPIgPhcSC6
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 31, 2018
That made a bunch of history:
Kevin Pillar is the first American League player to steal second, third and home in the same inning since the Royals' Chris Stynes in 1996.
— Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb (@simon_shargot) March 31, 2018
Kevin Pillar is the first player in #BlueJays history to steal 3 bases in an inning.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 31, 2018
Kevin Pillar just recorded the #BlueJays first straight steal of home since Aaron Hill on May 29th, 2007
— Blue Jays Stats (@BlueJaysStats_) March 31, 2018
That’s pretty incredible by Pillar. He’s making a habit of getting around the bases by himself, too, as he hit the Jays’ first home run of the season Friday. On this day, he only made it to first with his bat, but didn’t need any help to get home.
