MLB team’s blooper-reel defense leads to two runs

With runners on first and second base and two outs, the Arizona Diamondbacks attempted a double steal in the bottom of the second inning of Tuesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. From Arizona’s perspective, the play could not have possibly gone better.

The Diamondbacks had speed on the bases, with Corbin Carroll at second base and Ketel Marte at first. And while the rule of thumb in baseball is to never make the first or third out of an inning at third base, Arizona’s runners took off on the first pitch San Francisco pitcher Alex Cobb threw to Tommy Pham.

Giants catcher Patrick Bailey made a strong throw to third base and appeared to have a chance to throw Carroll out. But Carroll’s slide kicked the ball out of the glove of third baseman, Wilmer Flores. As Flores scrambled to retrieve the ball, Carroll took off for home while Marte went to third. Flores had a chance to throw Carroll out at the plate, but his throw was wild. With that, Carroll scored. Marte also continued to run and crossed the plate, without a throw from first baseman Lamonte Wade Jr.

The Diamondbacks score two runs, aided by a Giants defense that was a sight to behold. pic.twitter.com/0qvhYX39iL

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 20, 2023

Flores was ultimately charged with two errors on the play.

Earlier in September, the Giants made a series of defensive miscues but managed to avoid damage thanks to a lucky bounce. None of that happened here, though. San Francisco was sloppy defensively and paid for it.

San Francisco is still alive in the race for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, though is hanging by a thread. Plays like this will not help.

[Photo Credit: NBC Sports Bay Area]