If your surname is Chapman, Thursday’s game between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees didn’t go especially well.
With the Yankees leading 3-0 heading into the ninth inning, they called upon their closer, Aroldis Chapman, to close things out. He did not. Chapman struggled with his control, walking Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal and Matt Chapman to load the bases.
Manager Aaron Boone then pulled Chapman from the game. But not before the MLB world criticized his performance.
Aroldis Chapman doesn't look right. Like he's having trouble gripping the ball and it's not releasing right.
— Aaron Somers (@AaronJSomers) April 15, 2022
This is why I'll never trust Aroldis Chapman in a big spot. Never. He's the weakest link in this bullpen.
— Tommy Smokes (@TomScibelli) April 15, 2022
Chapman was so bad the umps didn’t even check his hands, glove and hat for anything.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) April 15, 2022
Michael King relieved Chapman and promptly struck out Geroge Springer but he was not out of the woods. The dangerous Bo Bichette was up with one out and as long as he didn’t hit into a double play, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would get a chance at the plate.
Bichette seemed to avoid that. He hit a ball that briefly looked like it might fall for a bloop single but it hung up long enough for New York’s second baseman, DJ LeMahieu, to bring it in. Not ideal for Toronto but even though Guerrero had struck out four times, he’d adequately displayed his power the night before. He could change the game with one swing. Only, he didn’t get a chance.
That was because the other Chapman, Matt, made a critical base-running error. He strayed too far off of first base. LeMahieu took advantage, catching the ball and throwing over to first base, retiring Chapman to end the game.
Much like Aroldis, this Chapman was heavily criticized for his blunder.
Aroldis Chapman: watch me blow this game
Matt Chapman: no, watch ME blow this game pic.twitter.com/ROG6PUDOwz
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) April 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/PlayoffTanaka_/status/1514811452435042309
Yowch.
Terrible, terrible baserunning mistake by Matt Chapman ends the game with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on deck.#Bluejays lose 3-0, wind up with the split in NY.
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) April 15, 2022
Thank you Matt Chapman for the awful baserunning
— Alex M (@SaratogaSlabs) April 15, 2022
Matt Chapman with the dumbest play you will ever see with the bases loaded and Vladdy on deck.
— Matthew Meli (@IamMattMeli) April 15, 2022
Indeed, it was a bad day for Chapman’s all around but a good finish to the game. The Yankees and Blue Jays figure to be in the postseason picture throughout the season. If we can get more games like this, all will be good.
