Filling in for Yan Gomes, Washington Nationals catcher Alex Avila made a heads-up play in the ninth to help the Nats preserve a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Some Phillies faithful refer to the play as a brain fart by pinch-runner Travis Jankowski.
Following a lead-off double by Ryan Hoskins, Jankowski came in to pinch-run representing the game-tying run with the Nats ahead 2-1.
After a pitch in the dirt by Nationals reliever Daniel Hudson, Avila was able to bait Jankowski to get caught in no man’s land between second and third.
Jankowski figuratively got his feet stuck dirt, as Avila charged at him. With options of running back to the bag at second or make a mad dash for third, Jankowski got caught up as Avila approached him and tagged him out.
Yes, a baserunner somehow got tagged out between second and third by a catch, unassisted!
Following the game Avila said he practiced that play a ton in high school and college. The key was to cut off third base from Jankowski.
Amazing play or brain fart, nonetheless, Avila came up with a big out. Hudson retired the next two batters to get the save without the pressure of a runner in scoring position.
