Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas made a huge defensive play in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
With two on and two out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Rojas fielded a ground ball at third base and decided to bolt to the bag to get the force play at third.
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Rojas was racing against one of baseball’s fastest players, Trea Turner, who was in the 100th percentile in sprint speed this season. The Dodgers third baseman had to dive head first into third base to make the play, just barely beating the Phillies’ speedster.
Unfortunately, Rojas suffered an injury on the play. Max Muncy pinch-hit for Rojas in the seventh and took over at third base for the remainder of the game.
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Manager Dave Roberts spoke after Game 2 about the updated status of Rojas.
“Miggy, great play, aggressive, heady play to get Trea at third base on the force play,” Roberts said. “And then the hamstring tightened up a little bit on him. It’s something he’s been dealing with for the past few weeks. Wanted to get him out of there.”
He added: “Obviously liked Muncy coming into the game. We’ll see how he comes in tomorrow. And his status, I would say it’s fair to say it’s day to day.”
Rojas has been solid this postseason, collecting three hits and an RBI in seven at-bats. As displayed in his sliding play to get Turner out at third, he’s been invaluable on defense, as well.
With the Phillies starting right-hander Aaron Nola in Game 3, Muncy was going to get the start at third base over Rojas anyway. However, his status as a potential off-the-bench option remains to be seen.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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One Response
Give Rojas an A for effort, and making the play, but everything I’ve ever heard is it’s slower to dive to a bag than run right thru it. Never run any tests myself, but it kind of makes sense, every step you take is propulsion, once you start a dive your done, you’re losing speed. Players slide on the bases to be able to stop and make a lower profile for a tag, but Miguel had neither of those things to worry about.